In nature, the sweet violet with its delicate flowers greets walkers mainly in March and April along with the other first heralds of spring. In a suitable location with appropriate conditions such as nutrient-rich soil, the sweet violet can also be cultivated as a perennial garden plant.

The sweet violet is a beautiful, native addition to the garden

This is to be considered when planting sweet violets

In contrast to many other types of violets, such as pansies, the much more discreet flowering sweet violets exude an almost beguiling scent, which is also reflected in the botanical name "Viola odorata". Since the use of edible flowers has become more and more fashionable in recent years, growing them in your own garden can also serve other purposes in addition to the fragrance and decorative appearance. Basically, sweet violets multiply steadily in a suitable location, but you need a few years of patience before they can spread over a larger area.

A suitable location is very important

In nature, sweet violets grow primarily in the following locations:

  • by the wayside
  • on embankments and bush edges
  • on the outskirts of settlements (naturalization of deliberately planted stocks)

While other types of violets are also suitable for cultivation in balcony boxes or on the terrace, sweet violets are more of a classic plant for outdoor soil. Here the roots of the plant cannot dry out as easily as in the pot, after all sweet violets prefer a moderately permanently moist soil such as at the edges of forests. Sweet violets generally do not thrive in full sun, so a semi-shady location should be selected for the planting.

The right time for sowing sweet violets

Young plants and offshoots of sweet violets can be planted out from spring to autumn with appropriate care; the seeds should be planted in the ground in autumn.

Transplant sweet violets

Transplanting the sweet violet is basically possible and also common in order to pull dense stocks further apart in an area. However, you should always replant the plants straight away and water them well so that the rhizome-like roots cannot dry out in the first place.

These spring bloomers multiply as if by themselves and have hard-working helpers

As soon as you have planted the first sweet violets in a partially shaded spot in the garden, you can confidently leave these hardy, hardy plants to their fate. As a result, propagation will not only take place through runners, but also through the seeds of the plants. Due to their particularly high nutritional value for ants, these are transported by the small crawlers along the ant paths across the garden.

The sweet violet blooms early and persistently

The usual flowering time of the sweet violet is in March and April, but it can also be a few weeks earlier or later, depending on the weather and site conditions.

This is how you create the right soil for a sweet violet planting

The soil should not be too meager for the sweet violets to grow healthily, but should be relatively rich in nutrients. Very sandy or loamy soils can be enriched with a little seasoned compost.

tips

In the trade, sweet violets are no longer sold as cut flowers, but the mostly violet flowers still bring joy to many people today. The edible flowers can also be used as a decorative ingredient in salads, soups or desserts.

Category:

Indoor plants