Veilchen

Veilchen is the German common name for plants of the genus Viola, especially Viola odorata, the sweet violet. In English, these plants are usually called violets or pansies. Veilchen are herbaceous perennials with creeping rhizomes. Leaves are typically oval to heart-shaped and borne on short stalks. Flowers appear singly on slender stems; they have five petals and are usually purple, blue, or violet, though white and yellow forms exist. Many species emit a distinctive fragrance, especially the sweet violet.

Distribution and habitat: Native to Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa, violets have broad naturalized distribution in temperate regions worldwide. They grow in woodlands, hedgerows, meadows, and garden borders. They prefer moist, well-drained soil and partial shade. They typically bloom in spring, with some forms flowering again in autumn in milder climates.

Cultivation and varieties: Widely cultivated as ornamental plants and groundcovers. Propagation is by seed or division; clumps can be divided after flowering. Cultivars range from solid purples and blues to whites and bicolors, with both single and double-flowered forms. Some species, such as Viola tricolor (pansy), are grown as annuals or short-lived perennials.

Uses and symbolism: The flowers are edible and used to flavor syrups, candy violets, or decorate desserts; they are also used in perfumery and flavorings. In German culture, Veilchen symbolize modesty and faithfulness and appear in poetry and art as seasonal motifs of spring.