Jolly Johnny is a border star

It's time to sow some of the colours of spring, says Ruth

- Ruth Hayes

THIS week's free seeds are Viola 'Johnny Jump Up', hardy perennials perfect for borders and containers.

Long-flowering, this is a compact variety that is ideal for edging beds as well as filling containers and boxes.

A traditional heartsease, Johnny' produces sweet 'smiling face' flowers in shades of purple and yellow and unlike their larger cousins, the pansy, these are more weather-resistant and will happily self-seed, forming a colourful carpet.

If this does happen, the seedlings are easy to lift and move elsewhere, or you can leave them in place.

This variety is happy in sun and light shade, though try to plant them away from areas where violas or pansies have been growing recently because they are susceptible to a fungal disease called leaf spot. The spores can remain in the soil and infect new plants.

Once your seedlings are large enough to handle, pot them into individual containers or modules. Overwinter them in the greenhouse or a cold frame and plant them out in spring.

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