Viola
Penny Black

Almost-black petals and a tiny yellow eye give ‘Penny Black’ the look of miniature velvet flowers. A hint of purple appears when the light catches the petals, so the color feels rich rather than flat. This compact Penny™ series viola brings that unusual contrast right to the front of a planting, where its small flowers and fresh green foliage can be seen up close.

The breeder lists a mounded habit about 4–6 inches tall and wide, a convenient size for edging, mixed containers, and hanging baskets. Rounded, lightly scalloped leaves make a tidy background for the dark blooms, which are especially effective beside pale flowers or silver foliage. Fragrant flowers shine in cool spring and autumn weather; flowering may continue longer where summers stay mild. Explore our perennial violas for other small-scale companions with a similarly intimate charm.

Grow in sun to part sun in fertile, well-drained soil, keeping the roots evenly moist without waterlogging. Afternoon shade helps where spring quickly turns hot. Remove spent flowers to encourage more buds and keep the little mound neat. Although a short-lived perennial, listed for USDA Zones 4–9, ‘Penny Black’ is often enjoyed as seasonal bedding: sustained summer heat can slow flowering or finish the display. Plan its season around your local temperatures rather than expecting year-round bloom.

We guarantee that the plants we sell are healthy and viable at the time they leave our care.

If a plant arrives in substandard condition, please take clear photographs and contact us within 48 hours of delivery. To ensure eligibility under this guarantee, we strongly encourage you to open and unpack your shipment immediately upon delivery and inspect the plants thoroughly.

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$14.99 flat rate for up to 6 plants is for standard FedEx/UPS Ground shipping to eligible states only. $19.99 for up to 12 plants. Plants being shipped to the following states are sent via Express Mail to help ensure they arrive quickly and healthy. 

(AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IN, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, VA, WV)
(list of states subject to change seasonally due to extreme heat or cold conditions)

We cannot ship Annie's Annuals plants to P.O. boxes or outside the continental U.S.

Individual plants are shipped in 4" pots and we ship in boxes of 4, 6, 8, or 12 plants per box.

For more details, read our full Ordering and Shipping Policies

Get your plants off to a strong start with our care guide.

Download the Plant Care Guide (PDF)