Viola odorata
Sweet violet, Garden violet, English violet
- Height × spread
- 0.15m – 0.15m × 0.15m – 0.15m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
The species is a modest plant that has lush softly shiny heart-shaped leaves. The small violet flowers are often half concealed by the foliage and are like treasures to be foraged for. In the wild they are coloured purple or white but there are numerous cultivars that introduce pinks, reds and yellow to the colour palette as well as double forms. Violets are known for their exquisite fragrance. Posies can be carefully assembled with a ring of leaves around the flowers and used to fragrance a room. This flowers from spring to early summer. They can be used as ground cover but may become a little untidy.
- Flower colour
- Purple, Violet
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.15m – 0.15m
- Spread
- 0.15m – 0.15m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Small scale garden, Scented garden, Mediterranean garden, Herb garden, Gravel garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Planting & general
Planting
Prune after flowering
When the plant has finished flowering, cut the trailing stems back by half their length or more to retain a compact and appealing habit.
Planting
Deadhead blooms during flowering season
Remove flowers as they turn brown and fade. Snip the stem just below the bloom. This will keep the plant tidy and encourage more flowers.
The removal of spent flowers encourages the plant to produce fresh ones, rather than spend its energy on the development of seeds.
Compost · Planting
Multi-purpose compost
Use a good quality peat-free multi-purpose compost when growing in pots and containers.