Johnny-jump-ups are members of the Violaceaefamily, which includes 25 genera.
Only three of these are really worth noting for the home gardener, however: Hybanthus, Rinorea, and Viola. The majority of the flowers in the Violaceaefamily are members of these three genera.
If you want to plant a yard full of Johnny-jump-ups instead of a grass lawn, go for it! Heartsease doesn’t mind a bit of light foot traffic. In addition to having attractive flowers, it has interesting, elongated leaves with scalloped edges.
Johnny-jump-ups are best suited to USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9, growing as annuals in warmer zones, and as biennials or short-lived perennials in cooler areas.
Johnny-jump-ups make an excellent ground cover or grass substitute in a lawn.
They shine in flower beds, planted among spring bulbs and offering a natural barrier for weeds among your tulips, daffodils, grape hyacinths, and more, beginning to bloom around the same time as many spring bulbs. {read}
