DESCRIPTION:  A beautiful clump forming black flowers creates a dramatic colour display in the garden or containers; this variety is part of the Matrix series known for consistency in growth and color.

BOTANICAL NAME: Viola 'Black Out'
OTHER NAMES: Winter Pansy, Violet
GROUP/CLASS: Matrix Series
AVERAGE MATURE HEIGHT: 15 cm - 25 cm
AVERAGE MATURE SPREAD: 25 cm - 30 cm
SUN EXPOSURE: Full sun
FLOWER COLOUR: Black
FLOWERING TIME: Mid-spring to mid-fall
FOLIAGE COLOUR: Green
COLD HARDINESS: Annual
WATER NEEDS: Average
OTHER FEATURES: Deer Resistant

Ornamental Features

Black Out Pansy has masses of beautiful black flowers with yellow eyes and purple streaks at the ends of the stems from early spring to late summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. Its serrated round leaves remain dark green in colour throughout the season. 

Landscape Attributes

Black Out Pansy is an herbaceous annual with a mounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration:

• Self-Seeding

Black Out Pansy is recommended for the following landscape applications:

• Mass Planting
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Black Out Pansy will grow to be only 6 inches tall at maturity extending to 8 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 8 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 6 inches apart. This fast-growing annual will normally live for one full growing season, needing replacement the following year.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. 

Black Out Pansy is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers against which the thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.