Town & Country Gardens: Viola

Origins Europe
Type Perennial (evergreen)
Hardiness Zones 5 - 9
Bloom Late Winter, Spring
Height 2 - 3 in (5 - 7 cm)

Cultivation
Sun or semi-shade, moist, rich soils. Deadhead for longer flowering season.

Propagation
By seeds (sow in Spring), or by clump division (Spring, or Fall). Once settled, they will spread carpet, like.

Other
Fragrant blooms, perfect woodland plant. Tiny in size, modest looking flower. Its deep blue blooms have sweet, and captivating fragrance. Irresistible to artisans, artists (Chopin), famous leaders (Napoleon), and ordinary folk, alike.
An all time favorite, century, after century. Romans used blooms to flavor wine, others appreciated violets in home made cough, and other remedies.
One of Victorian favorites, Violet makes popular name for a girl, till these days.

Violet's blooms are edible; - they can be used in salads.

Candied violet petals make extremely decorative touch on ice creams, cakes, in candies.
Essential oils of Violet are used to make perfumes, and perfumed food items, such as vinegars, syrups, honey, jams, sugars, jellies, drinks, sauces, teas, liqueurs, and lots, lots, more....
For white blooms, try Viola odorata 'Alba'.

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References - Find more about:
Hardiness Zones
Special Thanks
Special Thanks to Town & Country Gardens Contributors: Roberto F., Ryan Hodnett / CC 2.0, dive-angel (Karin), flickr, Jasmine&Roses, Rita Crane Photography. Rita Crane, daughter of LIFE magazine photographer Ralph Crane. Her work can be seen on Flickr at Rita Crane Photography or on her website., TMR Davies, W.D. Williams

Pansy
(Viola tricolor hortensis)
Other Names - Stiefmütterchen, Johnny-Jump-ups, Heart's Ease, Love-in-idleness, Viola Pansies.
Origins - Europe.
Type
Perennial (herbaceous), often grown as annuals.
Hardiness (see References, below) - Zones 4 - 8.
Bloom - Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer.
Height - Approx. 3 in (9cm).
Cultivation - Sun, or partial shade, away from extreme exposure to heat. Humus rich soils. Fertilize during blooming season.
Propagation - By seeds.
Other - Cute blooms will cheer up, any Fall, Winter, and Spring garden. Fantastic variety of bloom colors; - many variegated, ones. Most violas will die out during hot Summer days. If you'll let them go to seed, they will easily propagate in the next growing season.
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Feedback - contact.tcg.now@gmail.com
References - Find more about Hardiness Zones
Special Thanks
Special Thanks to Town & Country Gardens Contributors: blogger, bulabean, dive-angel (Karin), flickr, Jasmine&Roses, Libär, Nick Leonard, puppaluppa, Rita Crane Photography. Rita Crane, daughter of LIFE magazine photographer Ralph Crane. Her work can be seen on Flickr at Rita Crane Photography or on her website., sandlings, TMR Davies, Wikipedia, W.D. Williams