Viola odorata
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- vy-OH-la oh-dor-AY-tuh
- Description
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Sweet violet is native to Europe and western Asia. It is an herbaceous perennial formerly widely cultivated for its fragrant flowers but now grown mostly for its edible flowers or as a historical curiosity. The species epithet is Latin for “scented” and highlights the noteworthy fragrance of this species, which is a member of the violet family (Violaceae).
Sweet violet is not fussy about soil texture or pH, but prefers moist, well drained soil. It grows in partial shade to dappled sun but dislikes full sun. For a showy spring appearance, prune away runners and weak growth in the late fall.
The plant forms rosettes of heart-shaped leaves and produces long stolons by which the species colonized new ground. Sweet violet is prized for its fragrant flowers, once sold as nosegays on the streets of London (think Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady). The fragrance is used in perfumes, candies and liqueurs. Candied violet flowers are made from this species.
Sweet violet grows well in containers but can also be used as an accent, border or groundcover. It is at home in cottage gardens, sensory gardens or shade gardens.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Pests affecting this plant include slugs, snails, and red spider mites. It is susceptible to violet gall midge, pansy leaf spot and powder mildew. Its natural spreading habit can become weedy in some situations.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Alba'
White blooms - 'Clive Groves'
Deep purple blooms - 'Comte de Brazza'
double white flowers - 'Duchesse de Parme'
double, pale lavender flowers. - 'Marie Louise'
Double-flowered; first grown ca. 1865 - 'Queen Charlotte'
dark violet flowers; plant spreads up to 1 foot; first grown ca. 1900 - 'Rosina'
Rose colored blooms - 'Royal Wedding'
Pure white flowers.
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', 'Clive Groves', 'Comte de Brazza', 'Duchesse de Parme', 'Marie Louise', 'Queen Charlotte', 'Rosina', 'Royal Wedding'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Alba'
White blooms - 'Clive Groves'
Deep purple blooms - 'Comte de Brazza'
double white flowers - 'Duchesse de Parme'
double, pale lavender flowers. - 'Marie Louise'
Double-flowered; first grown ca. 1865 - 'Queen Charlotte'
dark violet flowers; plant spreads up to 1 foot; first grown ca. 1900 - 'Rosina'
Rose colored blooms - 'Royal Wedding'
Pure white flowers.
- 'Alba'
- 'Alba', 'Clive Groves', 'Comte de Brazza', 'Duchesse de Parme', 'Marie Louise', 'Queen Charlotte', 'Rosina', 'Royal Wedding'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Viola
- Species:
- odorata
- Family:
- Violaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports Fritillary butterfly larvae. Ants feed on the oily white appendage.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Easy to Grow
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- Leaves and flowers can be eaten.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Creeping
- Horizontal
- Mounding
- Prostrate
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The 1/4" capsule is light purple, with short hairs.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The 1/2" flowers are typically dark blue or purple. Variations including lilac, rose or white are also available. Having 5 petals, the lowest petal is larger than the others and have a spur.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The dark green heart shaped basal leaves are quite showy. They form a basal rosette. Sparsely haired. Often wrinkled on the upper leaf surface.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stem typically leafless with scale-like bracts halfway or above.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Edible Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
