Viola odorata
sweet violet
Sweetly scented, violet-blue, edible flowers from February to March and heart-shaped, bright green leaves. Sweet violets are perfect for naturalising in a shady woodland garden or shrub border in moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil.
Much loved by Victorian dandies, the exquisitely scented blooms of Viola odorata make delightful cut-flower posies, are excellent when chrystallised, add an exotic-looking touch to the salad bowl and can be used to adorn cakes, desserts and iced drinks.
Much loved by Victorian dandies, the exquisitely scented blooms of Viola odorata make delightful cut-flower posies, are excellent when chrystallised, add an exotic-looking touch to the salad bowl and can be used to adorn cakes, desserts and iced drinks.
How to care for Viola odorata:
Pot-grown plants can be planted out or potted up into compost or well-drained, humus-rich soil that is neither frozen nor prone to waterlogging.
Keep well watered, and feed with a good, high potash fertiliser (such as Tomorite) on a regular basis. Pinching off the spent flowers will encourage more to form.
Protect young plants from slug damage using natural barriers such as coarse grit, copper bands, or other non-chemical solutions that are available in our slug and snail control selection.
Keep well watered, and feed with a good, high potash fertiliser (such as Tomorite) on a regular basis. Pinching off the spent flowers will encourage more to form.
Protect young plants from slug damage using natural barriers such as coarse grit, copper bands, or other non-chemical solutions that are available in our slug and snail control selection.
Sowing instructions:
Late winter, spring and autumn sowings can be done in a cold frame, into trays of good seed compost and gradually hardened off before planting out.
Alternatively, sow directly into a well-prepared seed bed in late spring to early summer, or in autumn. Gently thin the seedlings out to 15cm (6in) apart when they are large enough to handle.
Alternatively, sow directly into a well-prepared seed bed in late spring to early summer, or in autumn. Gently thin the seedlings out to 15cm (6in) apart when they are large enough to handle.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
0.2m
Eventual spread:
0.3m
Position:
Full sun / light shade
Rate of growth:
Fast-growing
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, or peat-free general purpose compost
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
-
This perennial is semi-evergreen so it can lose some of its leaves in winter. In colder regions or more exposed gardens, it may lose them all, but then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
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9cm pot
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3 × 9cm pots
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6 × 9cm pots
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Seed Packets (only)£2.95
