How to take viola cuttings

You Will Need

• Sharp knife
• Damp polythene bag
• Gritty compost mix
• Horticultural grit
• Small pots

Step 1

Look for short stems, without flowers or buds, and cut with a sharp knife. They'll lose moisture quickly, so place in a damp polythene bag.

Step 2

Trim each cutting at the base, just below a leaf node to give a neat end. Remove the bottom leaves.

Step 3

Nip out the growing tip to encourage sideshoots to form. Keep doing this to create bushier plants and more flowers.

Step 4

Fill small pots with gritty compost. Make holes at the edge of the pot and pop in the cuttings up to their bottom leaves.

Step 5

Cover the surface of the compost with grit. Water carefully from above to help settle the cuttings in the compost.

Step 6

Place the cuttings in a cool, sheltered spot. Re-pot into individual pots when you see new growth and roots poking out the drainage holes.

Violas for scent

For intensely perfumed violas, you can't beat the 'Parma' violets. These cultivars aren't reliably hardy, so will need winter protection under glass. Cultivars to grow include 'Duchesse de Parme' and 'Marie-Louise'.