Dwarf Pansy, Viola kitaibeliana

This diminutive plant was first recorded in Guernsey in 1871. Although it can be found throughout southern Europe, the Channel Islands (Guernsey) and the Scilly Islands (Bryher) are it’s only known locations in the British Isles.

In 1975 renowned botanist, David McClintock, wrote that it used to be found from Lihou to Rousse and all along the south coast cliffs. Today, we only know it in one location, at Pleinmont.

The overriding purpose of the Grow Guernsey Natives project is to ensure that we do not lose any more rare species. In 2022 a very small quantity of this dwarf pansy seed was collected and grown by Raymond Evison. Happily, this has been extremely successful and a reasonable quantity of seed arose from the few plants that germinated. This tiny plant has exploding seed pods and it has been a learning curve to gather the seed and resow.

We are now in a position to look for Plant Custodians to continue to grow the plants and collect the seed, thereby increasing the availability of seed in several differing locations to give the best possible chance of the plant surviving locally.

It grows most happily in a very sandy loam in full sunshine. It can tolerate drought and sporadic watering, mimicking the habitat in which it is found at Pleinmont. However, skill is required when harvesting the seed. The plant’s natural way of re producing itself is to fling its seeds in a catapult action away from itself , and seedlings can be found up to two metres away the following year if they germinate successfully.

However, the most productive method of collecting seed has found to be cutting the flowering stem with the seed pod intact before the seeds are dispersed. Please refer to ongoing care information on the reverse of this sheet.

Custodians are asked to purchase and care for just one plant to help avoid extinction of this species. Plants are available from Grow at £10 each. The income is shared between Grow and La Société Guernesiase who provide the marketing and print material.

How to care for the seeds

Allow the seed pod to dry in an envelope or paper bag on a windowsill for several weeks, then take away any old flower stem, remains of the seed pods and any dried leaves.

Place the envelope or paper bag containing the seeds in a household fridge for at least eight weeks before sowing in March or April next year.

The seeds can be sown in plug seed trays, and thinly covered with fine sand.

For best results use good quality seed compost with low nutrients and added sand.

Next, cover the seed trays with a sheet of glass and then cover the glass with a material such as newspaper to keep the seeds dark until they germinate.

Germination can take several weeks, but check every other day for germination and to see whether the seed trays need water.

Use a watering can with a fine rose to water the seed tray. Don’t over water or let the tray become too dry.

Prick out as the seedlings when they are large enough to handle, handling them by the leaves and not the stems.

Shade any newly pricked out seedlings from direct sunshine for a few days.

Then Congratulations!! You have made a much valued contribution to saving the Viola kitaibeliana from extinction.

Please email hello@grow.gg so that we can record your contact details and keep in touch.

Thank you from Raymond Evison, Helen Litchfield and the team at Grow.