Johnny Jump Up

As is their annual tradition the International Herb Association (IHA) has named Viola the Herb of the Year for 2022.

To most of us Violets, Pansies and Johnny Jump Ups are a sign that Spring has arrived. I have always loved Johnny Jump Ups.  Often in the past I started them from seed to plant about. Unfortunately since I had no seeds here at PageRefuge, I purchased two plants in 4" pots from one of my very favorite local nurseries: Emerisa Gardens. 

One of the Johnny Jump Up (Viola tricolor) plants
transplanted and thriving just to the North
of our bubbling birdbath.

Since all of members of the genus Viola have so many amazing  attributes (including antibacterial and anticancer as researchers are finding), it is not surprising that violets are one of the all time treasured flowers the world over. Johnny Jump Up flowers heralding Spring bring joy and happiness to all who are fortunate enough to have them growing in their gardens. 

This "common European wild flower" is grown as an annual or short lived perennial in the United States. It has other names as well:

        Heartease

        Heart's Ease

        Heart's Delight

        Ladies' Delight

        Jump-up-and-kiss-me

        Wild pansy

         

The average height is any where from 4" to 12". It prefers full or partial sunshine, tolerating moist to moderately dry soil, cool to warm Summer temperatures, loamy or gravelly or sandy soil . . . an astonishingly adaptive member of the Viola family. It is a stunning little addition to anyone's garden OR even lawn as the seeds will "jump" from a bed edging one's grassy lawn onto the grass. It does have incredibly successful reseeding ability but it is not particularly aggressive. 

Their flowers are not only gorgeous but edible as well.  For our evening fresh lettuce salad I often harvest a handful of flowers to sprinkle atop:  beautiful and tasty too!  The more one picks the flowers, the more flowers appear. Definitely a win-win herb!

Johnny Jump Up with flowers,
flower buds and "spent" flowers
flourising in my herb garden.

Growing these plants brings me much satisfaction, overwhelming joy and happiness, all the while enjoying a hardy belly