Viola banksii. How to grow and care for Australian native violet. Trish. The Gong Gardener.

Viola banksii - Previously mistakenly named Viola hederacea - Native violet
Family: Violaceae
Description:
An easy to grow, creeping, ground cover with small kidney shaped leaves and delicate looking white and mauve flowers that pop prolifically above the foliage.
Flowering time:
All year under frost free conditions.
Country of origin:
Australian native. Common and widespread in Qld, NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia.
Uses:
Cottage gardens, native gardens, under trees, cool rockery garden, pots and planters, weed suppressant, lawn substitute (doesn’t like foot traffic), between paver, pond or pool side, living mulch.
Position:
Prefers full to part shade but will grow in full sun in moist soil. In full sun, it can look less lush and may die down during drought or the heat of summer. If possible keep the soil moist and add organic matter which will sustain it or assist with bounce-back when conditions are more favourable.
Climate:
Sub-tropical to cool climate. Light frost tolerant.
Soil:
Adaptable to different soils from sandy to heavy loam moist soils. Benefits from the addition of organic matter.
Pruning:
Not needed
Fertiliser:
Not necessary but add some fine mulch or compost to the soil to help keep the moisture up. Liquid fertilise or a little organic fertiliser if desired.
Water:
Prefers moisture but can withstand medium moisture. Keep moist in summer. Mulch with fine compost.
Common problems, pests and diseases:
Not susceptible to pests or disease.
Additional information:
Edible flowers and leaves.
Attracts native bees
Propagation:
Division
Look a like:
Viola odorata - native to Europe and Asia

[@stephenchamberlain4245]

My friend took a tiny rooted bit of this plant from the Ventnor botanical gardens on the Isle of Wight and grew it as a trailing houseplant. He regularly propergated new plants and they looked wonderful around his home

[@cathb3816]

Good to know it can grow over cement- I have to much cement! I’m looking forward to seeing how the clematis is going. Can you do a video on how you look after secateurs? 😁

[@trishrestante3865]

Ok. What sort of secateurs do you have?

[@cathb3816]

@@trishrestante3865 I have regular ones I bought from Aldi.

[@user-vf9hl3zh5d]

Can you mow or whipper snip to the level of the tops of the leaves (i.e.some cut off) without damaging the plant ?

[@trishrestante3865]

Yes. I do.

[@user-vf9hl3zh5d]

@@trishrestante3865 Thank you.