violettes

Violettes (Viola spp.) are flowering plants in the family Violaceae. The common name covers a group of herbaceous perennials and, in horticulture, several cultivated forms. They are valued for small, delicate flowers that often have a pleasant scent and come in purple, blue, white, or yellow.

Most violets are low-growing perennials with creeping rhizomes or short stems. Leaves are typically heart-shaped. Flowers are five-petaled, usually zygomorphic, and borne singly on short stalks. The most well-known species is Viola odorata (sweet violet); other widely grown forms include Viola tricolor (wild pansy) and Viola cornuta (horned violet). Hybrid cultivars such as Viola × wittrockiana (pansy) are also common in gardens.

Violettes are native to temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America and have since naturalized in many areas. They favor partial shade and rich, well-drained soil. They flower in spring and, in some cultivars, sporadically throughout the growing season. They produce seed capsules that can explode to disperse seeds.

Uses: Ornamental plant in borders and containers; edible petals and infusions are used in salads, desserts, and syrups in various cuisines. Fragrance is valued in perfumery; violet notes are created from natural compounds such as ionones. In confectionery, violet candies such as the French "violettes de Toulouse" are famous.

Cultivation and care: Plant in fall or early spring; ensure moisture; moderate sun or light shade; avoid heavy soils; propagate by seed, division, or layering; many cultivars are easily propagated by runners or cuttings.