Viola is a genus of over 500 species of compact, hardy annual and herbaceous perennial plants. The cultivated species are all perennial. V. wittrockiana, the garden pansy is one of the most popular of all garden plants and is often used for bedding. The hybrids produce a wide range of colourful flowers over a long period. The open flowers consist of 5 petals which in the pansy types are rounded, and 4 of the petals face up, and one points downwards. (Violets have 3 pointing up, and two pointing downwards). Fire Surprise’ has a dark brown-red centre with flames of orange and yellow around the edges of the petals.