Id-Code: VA 089
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Origin: Europe and Asia
Special Features: 'Violetta' is a reliable purple-flowering, easy-to-grow seed strain
History: Introduced by JELITTO PERENNIAL SEEDS in 1999
Colour: Purple, paper-like flowers
Natural Flowering Period: May - August
Winter Hardiness Zones: Z5-8
Growth Habit: Flat rosettes and six to ten vertical flowering spikes
Foliage: Dark green, crinkled, oval-shaped basal leaves
Height with Flower: 90 cm (36'')
Spacing between Plants: 60 cm (24'')
Soil Requirement: Well-drained soils, pH 5.8 - 6.8
Location: Full sun
Use: Plant together with Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm', Tanacetum 'Jackpot' and Pennisetum alopecuroides
Specialities: As many verbascums are quite tall, 'Violetta' - shorter in statue - is ideally suited for smaller gardens. This will freely self-sow around the garden, in a manner like foxgloves

Cultural Tips:
Grams per 1000 seeds: 0,125
Seeds per Gram: 8000
Seeding Recommendation: 1 g / 1000 plants
Sowing Rate: 8 seeds per cell
Plug tray recommended size(s): 72
Germination: Rapidly germinating (2 to 3 weeks), keep seed in constant moisture (not wet) with temperatures of about +20°C (68°F). Do not cover the seeds, but tightly press into the earth. Keep in cooler conditions after germination occurs.

Scheduling:
Best Sowing Dates: Anytime
Sowing to Germination: 2 - 3 weeks
Germination to Transplant: 4 - 8 weeks
Transplanting to Salable Plant: 6 - 10 weeks
Cutting-Back at Transplanting: Not Necessary

Growing On:
Container Size(s): 1-2 plugs per 11/12 cm (4 1/2''); 2-3 plugs per 15 cm (6'')
Vernalization: A prudent recommendation would be to provide 6-12 weeks at an average daily temperature of 40°F (5°C). Exposure to cold may not be necessary for flowering but might improve quality.
Forcing: This species is not a suitable candidate for forcing.
Fertilization: Medium (150-200 ppm)