For charming appeal, few flowers rival the violet. Its variety of elfin faces, early appearance in spring, when flowers are still an event, and delectable fragrance endears it to all.
Viola Odorata
Our favorite sweet violet is the English Viola odorata, with its tiny purple or white, yellow-centered blooms. It is listed variously as Violet odorata semperflorens and Rohrbach’s Everblooming.
A few fragrant flowers will perfume an entire room. It blooms intermittently through the whole year after its first abundant spring flowering is over.
Often, we have found enough flowers to make a little nosegay under the winter cover in January and February.
Viola Rosina
Rosina is another gem, a true rosy pink with no shade of purple. The bloom is relatively tiny but borne in such profusion in spring and autumn that it forms a bright spot of color in a planting.
It is incredibly hardy and will flower well in full sun, but it prefers a little shade, especially at midday.
Royal Robe
The supreme sweet violet introduction of recent years is the purple-flowered Royal Robe. The size and deep tone of the bloom, the ineffable scent, the long, strong stems, and the delicate foliage instantly made it famous.
A vigorous plant is effective outdoors and as a cut flower. It has primarily replaced such’ old favorites as Prince of Wales, California, and others.
Interesting Double-Flowered Violets
Double-flowered violets are the most interesting because of their high scent. Their double rosette-like bloom gives them an exotic greenhouse appearance; thus, they lack the charm of single varieties for outdoor growing.
However, they do thrive and bloom well in the open. Best known and hardiest are the Russian types for deep violet shades and Duchess of Parma for pale lavender blue tints.
White-Flowered Violets
Many white-flowered violets, including the variety shown below, can be grown successfully in a shaded border.
We particularly like White Czar and King’s Ermine, both lovely violets, extremely large-flowered clear white with deep purple stripes radiating from a deeper center.
The bloom stands high above the foliage on long, stiff stems perfect for cutting. They bloom abundantly over a long period in spring and somewhat sparingly in the fall.
While they both lack fragrance, their regal appearance and prodigality of flowers are compensation.
Confederate Violet
A close relative is Viola papilionacea and Confederate Violet (Viola sororia priceana). The same clear white flowers, boldly striped with fine purple lines, characterize the species.
However, the native sort has smaller flowers borne on shorter stems. In a semi-shady spot in our small woods, these Confederate violets form a delightful ground cover in spring.
White Wonder
This spring, one of our large nurseries is offering a new white violet, “White Wonder,” a pure white with no touch of striping or another tint. The flowers are instead a tiny hut borne in the greatest profusion on low, spreading clumps.
We have not grown it, but we plan to do so. The plant’s potential value would seem to be a ground cover for bulbs or a pronounced effect among other colored low-growing plants.
Many native species of violets are well worth including in the violet collection. In our tiny bit of woods, we have set our native violets in locations approximating their native habitat and have successfully grown various species.
Violet Striata
We especially like the creamy white violet, Violet striata. It does well in sun and shade, in damp and dry situations.
However, we set our plants among stones to conserve moisture and keep the roots cool when dry or highly sunny. Huge clumps of flower-studded bloom lasting well into summer have rewarded us.
Violet Blanda
Another jewel worth searching for is the sweet fairy-flowered Violet blanda. The length of the stem and size of the bloom varies according to the situation in which it is planted.
Rich, moist soil will produce a 6” inch plant with a reasonably large bloom, while the usual woods soil will produce a 3” to 4” inch plant with tiny flowers.
An individual color is pure white, delicately veined with purple. The odor is a delight, the very essence of spring. Tucked beside a mossy stone on a winding path, its discovery each spring is a joy.
Yellow Violets
Each spring, we also find yellow violets a pleasant surprise.
Viola Pubescens
In shady places, we grow in quantity the native downy yellow violet, Viola pubescens.
The golden flowers on long stems are arresting even among the pageant of other colorful native flowers. This species grows almost anywhere but does best on a sunny bank in the not-too-dry ground.
Viola Rotundifolia
We cherish the few plants of the early spring flowering Viola rotundifolia. This small-leaved, bright golden violet prefers damp hillsides or woods near a stream.
Coaxing this beauty at home in the average woods is quite a feat but well worth the effort when the saucy bright bloom appears in April.
Viola Pedata
Best known to lovers of native violets is the little bird’s-foot violet, Viola pedata. Its rich, velvety texture reminds one of a pansy, as does its color combination of pale blue upper, rich purple flower petals, and a golden center. In rich soil, this species sulks and ultimately dies.
Unlimited Uses Of Violets
The uses of both cultivated and native violets are unlimited.
One of the most beautiful edgings for a long path is the standard meadow violets planted to form a close ribbon on each side. As an edging for an herb garden, these commoners are lovely.
How To Plant Violets
Except for the native bird’s-foot violet, they prefer rich, loamy soil in a sheltered position and some shade on noonday. A mulch of compost or leaf mold will ensure quantities of spring bloom.
Too much fertilizer will produce abundant foliage and a shortage of flowers. Because they tend to set runners rapidly, frequent division is advisable.
Leaf spots, rust, and mildew occasionally occur, which can be checked by cutting off old foliage in the late fall just before adding a light covering of leaves or other protection.
White Wonder is a new pure white violet—a special note among more vivid plants. The spreading clumps do well as a ground cover in the shade with many flowers in spring.
44659 by Martha Pratt Haislip