Viola Seeds - Brush Strokes

Brush Strokes Viola Seeds – Watercolour Pansy Flowers

Grow one-of-a-kind colour with Brush Strokes Viola seeds. This open-pollinated Viola × wittrockiana variety produces fragrant flowers covered in painterly splashes, stripes and speckles in shades of apricot, peach, gold, lavender, plum, purple and cream.

No two plants look exactly alike, giving Brush Strokes a loose, artistic appearance that works beautifully in garden borders, containers and mixed flower plantings. The edible blooms can also be used as colourful garnishes for salads, desserts and baked goods.

Each packet contains approximately 25+ seeds. Explore additional colours and varieties in our Viola & Pansy Seeds collection.

Brush Strokes Viola Growing Information

Growing Detail	Information
Common Name	Viola / Pansy
Variety	Brush Strokes
Botanical Name	Viola × wittrockiana
Seed Count	Approximately 25+ seeds
Plant Type	Annual, often self-seeding
Flower Colours	Apricot, gold, peach, lavender, plum, purple and cream
Plant Height	Approximately 20–40 cm (8–16 inches)
Plant Spacing	Approximately 15–23 cm (6–9 inches)
Sun Exposure	Full sun to part sun
Germination	Approximately 10–14 days
Seed Depth	Lightly cover
Indoor Sowing	Approximately 8–9 weeks before the last frost
Germination Conditions	Warm conditions; heat mat recommended
Frost Tolerance	Tolerates cool conditions
Edible	Yes; flowers can be used as decorative garnishes
Best Uses	Containers, borders, edible flower gardens and mixed flower beds

What Is Brush Strokes Viola?

Brush Strokes is an unusually colourful Viola variety grown for flowers that resemble miniature watercolour paintings.

Each bloom develops its own combination of splashes, stripes and speckles, so plants grown from the same packet can display noticeably different patterns and colour combinations.

The flowers range through warm apricot and peach shades as well as lavender, plum, purple, cream and gold. This variation makes Brush Strokes particularly useful for informal cottage gardens and containers where a mixed, natural appearance is preferred.

How to Grow Brush Strokes Viola From Seed

For an early start, sow Brush Strokes Viola seeds indoors approximately 8–9 weeks before your expected last frost.

Use a fine, moist seed-starting mix and lightly cover the seeds after sowing. Warm conditions are recommended for germination, and a heat mat can help maintain a more consistent temperature.

Keep the growing medium evenly moist without saturating it. Under suitable conditions, seedlings should begin emerging in approximately 10–14 days.

Once seedlings are established, provide good light and airflow. Before moving plants permanently outdoors, gradually harden them off so they can adjust to cooler temperatures, wind and direct sunlight.

Starting Viola Seeds Indoors

Fill seed trays or small containers with a quality seed-starting mix and moisten the growing medium before sowing.

Plant Brush Strokes seeds and cover them lightly. Place trays somewhere warm during germination and maintain steady moisture until seedlings emerge.

After germination, provide strong light to encourage compact growth. Once the plants have developed sufficiently and outdoor conditions are appropriate, transplant them approximately 6–9 inches apart.

For a deeper guide to the process, read our guide to growing Viola and Pansy seeds.

Do Brush Strokes Violas Prefer Sun or Shade?

Brush Strokes Violas can grow in full sun to part sun.

These plants perform especially well in cooler conditions. In locations with hotter afternoon temperatures, some protection from intense sun can help maintain comfortable growing conditions.

The ability to grow with some shade also makes Violas useful for mixed containers and garden spaces that do not receive strong sunlight throughout the entire day.

Brush Strokes Violas in Containers

The compact size and varied colouring of Brush Strokes make this Viola an excellent candidate for container gardening.

Plants reach approximately 8–16 inches tall, allowing them to provide noticeable colour without becoming overly large. Use containers with adequate drainage and keep the growing medium consistently moist without allowing it to remain waterlogged.

Brush Strokes can be grown alone for a mixed watercolour effect or combined with other compact flowers for a layered container display.

For more varieties suited to smaller growing spaces, browse our Container Garden & Compact Plants collection.

Are Brush Strokes Viola Flowers Edible?

Yes. Brush Strokes produces edible flowers that can add colour to both gardens and food presentation.

The petals can be used as decorative garnishes for salads, cakes, desserts and other dishes. Their unusual striped and splashed colouring makes them especially attractive when visual presentation is important.

Only use flowers for food when they have been grown and handled appropriately for edible use.

Are Brush Strokes Violas Fragrant?

Yes. In addition to their unusual colouring, Brush Strokes Violas produce fragrant flowers.

This combination of scent, edible petals and unique colour variation gives the variety several uses beyond ordinary flower-bed planting.

Plant them near pathways, container areas or other garden spaces where their smaller blooms can be appreciated at close range.

Do Brush Strokes Violas Self-Seed?

Brush Strokes is grown as an annual but can often self-seed when flowers are allowed to mature and produce seed.

If you want to encourage natural reseeding, leave some flowers on the plants rather than removing every spent bloom.

Because Brush Strokes is open pollinated and naturally variable, seedlings can continue producing interesting differences in colour and pattern.

Other Unusual Viola Varieties to Grow

Brush Strokes is an excellent choice for gardeners who prefer unusual colour combinations, but Circle Farms carries several other distinctive Viola and Pansy varieties.

For dramatically patterned flowers, try Tiger Eye Pansy Seeds, which produce striking blooms with bold dark markings.

For a richer plum-toned palette, explore Floral Power Plum Antique Viola Seeds.

Quick Brush Strokes Viola Planting Instructions

• Start seeds indoors approximately 8–9 weeks before the last frost.
• Sow in moist seed-starting mix and cover lightly.
• Use warm germination conditions; a heat mat is recommended.
• Keep the growing medium evenly moist.
• Expect germination in approximately 10–14 days.
• Provide strong light after seedlings emerge.
• Harden seedlings gradually before transplanting outdoors.
• Space plants approximately 6–9 inches apart.
• Grow in full sun to part sun.
• Harvest edible flowers as needed or allow selected blooms to mature for self-seeding.

Brush Strokes Viola FAQs

What colours are Brush Strokes Violas?

Brush Strokes flowers can display apricot, gold, peach, lavender, plum, purple and cream, often with unique splashes, stripes and speckles across individual blooms.

How tall do Brush Strokes Violas grow?

Plants generally reach approximately 20–40 cm or 8–16 inches tall.

How long do Brush Strokes Viola seeds take to germinate?

Under suitable warm conditions, germination generally takes approximately 10–14 days.

When should I start Brush Strokes Viola seeds?

Start seeds indoors approximately 8–9 weeks before the last frost for an early start to the growing season.

Do Viola seeds need to be covered?

Brush Strokes Viola seeds should be lightly covered after sowing rather than left completely exposed.

Are Brush Strokes Viola flowers edible?

Yes. The flowers are edible and can be used as decorative garnishes for salads, desserts, cakes and other foods.

Can Brush Strokes Violas grow in part sun?

Yes. Brush Strokes grows in full sun to part sun and performs particularly well under cooler growing conditions.

Can I grow Brush Strokes Violas in containers?

Yes. Their compact size makes them well suited to pots, window boxes and mixed container plantings.

Do Brush Strokes Violas self-seed?

They are grown as annuals but can often self-seed when flowers are allowed to mature and release seed.

Explore More Viola & Pansy Seeds

Brush Strokes is ideal for gardeners looking for flowers with unpredictable, artistic colouring. Explore our complete Viola & Pansy Seeds collection for more colours, forms and unusual varieties.

For a bold patterned alternative, try Tiger Eye Pansies, or add deeper antique colouring with Floral Power Plum Antique Violas.