- origin
- growth
- leaves
- blossom
- fruit
- use
- Edible
- Which location is suitable?
- What soil does the plant need?
- Multiply sweet violets
- sowing
- Sweet violets in a pot
- Pour sweet violets
- Fertilize sweet violets properly
- Cut sweet violets correctly
- hibernate
- pests
- fungus
- Sweet violet does not bloom
- sorts
Sweet violets beguile the senses with an aesthetic splendor of flowers, which emanates a sweet scent. They are typical plants in partially shaded forest locations. Their requirements make the sweet violet the perfect plant for various themed gardens. In the right location, the violets require little care.
As its name suggests, the sweet violet smells wonderful
Table of Contents
Show all- origin
- growth
- leaves
- blossom
- fruit
- use
- Edible
- Which location is suitable?
- What soil does the plant need?
- Multiply sweet violets
- sowing
- Sweet violets in a pot
- Pour sweet violets
- Fertilize sweet violets properly
- Cut sweet violets correctly
- hibernate
- pests
- fungus
- Sweet violet does not bloom
- sorts
- Apothecary garden with medicinal herbs
- Cottage garden with high-growing wild perennials
- wild natural gardens
- shady to partially shaded woodland gardens
- Pot arrangements on roof gardens
- stand regeneration
- relocation
- propagation
- profuse flowering and small leaves in nutrient-poor forest sites
- large leaves and lack of flowering near fertilized beds
- Suphurea: Slow growth, not evergreen. Recommended for pot planting. Yellow flowering.
- Lydia Groves: Flowers soft pink with an orange-yellow center, sweetly scented. Up to 15 centimeters high.
- Alba: Pure white flowers. Reaches growth heights of up to 15 centimetres.
origin
Sweet violets are called Viola odorata among botanists. The species suffix "odorata" indicates the intensely fragrant flowers. This property earned the plant its German name. It is also known as Sweet Violet or March Violet.
The viola, which belongs to the violet family, has distribution areas between the Mediterranean and the Caucasus. It occurs in large parts of Europe, where it grows on forest edges and shady roadsides and forms the undergrowth of bushes. Sweet violets have been cultivated in gardens since ancient times. The species has been used as an ornamental and useful plant in Central Europe since the Middle Ages.
growth
The herbaceous plant is perennial and forms underground rhizomes as an overwintering organ. The above-ground shoot develops runners close to the surface, with which the plant gradually spreads at its location. In this way, sweet violets quickly develop dense lawns that cover the ground. Uninterrupted growth is a prerequisite. Scented violets reach heights of growth between five and 15 centimetres.
leaves
Sweet violets develop basal leaf rosettes with several leaves. They are divided into a long petiole and a heart- to kidney-shaped blade. It appears grass green and has a simple structure. Due to the similar dimensions in width and length, the leaves appear rounded. The stem is covered with backward-pointing hairs. Sweet violets have two tiny bracteoles about halfway down the stem. The foliage is evergreen and provides colorful accents during the cold season.
blossom
From March to April nodding single flowers appear, which rise above the leaf rosettes with their long flower stalks. They exude a fragrant scent and, as spring bloomers, are an important source of food for butterflies and bumblebees. The flowers consist of five petals that are unevenly shaped and dark purple in color. There are varieties that bloom pink or white. The crown reaches a size between two and three centimeters.
fruit
After flowering, sweet violets develop three-lobed capsule fruits. Their walls are elastic and open up at seed maturity to release the spherical seeds. They are spread by ants, so sweet violets quickly spread throughout the garden.
use
Due to its tolerance for locations with little light, Viola odorata is ideal for planting under wild hedges, woody plants or shrubs such as peonies and roses. They also grow without problems under the root competition of neighboring trees. The low plants prove to be sturdy and can be planted directly in the lawn or in an accessible flower meadow. They create an aesthetic long-distance effect and come into their own in dense groups.
planting partner
You can combine sweet violets with other early bloomers to create a colorful spring backdrop. Winter agarics, crocuses and daffodils are suitable as combination partners. Viola odorata harmonises with other flowering plants that have similar site conditions. The violet-flowering common night violet or the red foxglove also prefer half-shady growth places under trees.
Sweet violets are suitable for various themed gardens:
Edible
Sweet violets develop aromatic flowers that are used for various dishes. They refine salads or soups and give flower butter a sweet note. The flowers can be used for tea, syrup or liqueur or used in candied form as a decoration for ice cream, desserts and cakes.
Which location is suitable?
The natural locations of Viola odorata ensure semi-shady to light conditions with good ventilation. The delicate plants only tolerate heat and direct sunlight if the soil is sufficiently moist. Sweet violets feel at home under deciduous hedges and bushes.
What soil does the plant need?
The substrate should be rich in nutrients and offer fresh conditions. A high level of permeability prevents the formation of waterlogging. Moderately acidic loamy soil with humic content is ideal. A mixture of potting soil and clay powder that is sufficiently watered offers the plant perfect conditions. Viola odorata grows in humus-rich garden soil and proves to be unproblematic if the soil is sandy.
Multiply sweet violets
Viola odorata is known for self-sowing via seeds and runners. If you want to multiply the plant in a targeted manner, you can divide large stocks or collect and sow seeds.
division
In spring, dig up the plants and use a sharp knife to cut the rootstock in half. Each daughter plant should have enough leaves to grow quickly. Mix some compost into the substrate at the new location to ensure optimal growth conditions for the divided plants.
When the division makes sense:
sowing
Sweet violets belong to the cold germs. Sow the seeds in the bed between September and November. Alternatively, you can wrap the seeds in a damp cloth or sprinkle them in a freezer bag filled with sand and refrigerate for several weeks. Then sprinkle the grains on a moist growing substrate and place the container in a bright place.
Sweet violets germinate at a temperature of 18 degrees Celsius. Once the seedlings have developed a few leaves, they are isolated. The plants can be placed directly in the bed.
Sweet violets in a pot
Viola odorata is suitable as a houseplant. It can be planted individually in a pot or placed in a larger bucket with other wild herbs. Ensure an optimal water supply. Sweet violets need a constantly moist substrate. Drain any accumulated water from the saucer to keep the roots from getting wet. The pot should be placed in a bright spot without direct sunlight.
Pour sweet violets
The evergreen plants have a medium water requirement. Young plants initially need uniform moisture conditions in the substrate. Once established, sweet violets do not require additional watering in partially shaded locations under trees. If you have planted the plants in a sunny location on a lawn, you must regularly use the watering can. This also applies during long periods of drought.
Fertilize sweet violets properly
Regular fertilization is not required in nutrient-rich soils. Mix some compost under the substrate in spring so that the plants are optimally supplied during their growth and flowering phase. Pond mud or pond water achieve the same effect.
Cut sweet violets correctly
The violet plants do not need pruning. Dried leaves can be removed if they disturb the overall picture. If you leave dead foliage on the plant, it will be decomposed by soil organisms until the next growing season. This releases nutrients so that they can be absorbed and used by the plant. In this way, rotting leaves serve as a natural fertilizer.
hibernate
Viola odorata is completely hardy. Its evergreen leaves survive the frosty season without protection. If the plants grow under tall trees, they are optimally protected from the winter sun on snow-free days.
Container plants must be overwintered frost-free, as the substrate freezes quickly. Place the jar in a bright and cool place. An unheated conservatory or a bright spot in the basement or hallway is ideal. Make sure the substrate stays evenly moist. The plants are not fertilized.
pests
Both outdoor plants and potted violets are occasionally attacked by pests. While potted plants often suffer from an infestation during the winter, unwanted guests appear on bedding plants in spring.
spider mites
These pests prefer to attack potted plants in winter quarters when the air is too dry and warm. Spray the plant regularly with water and make sure the substrate is evenly moist. This measure also has an effect on infested plants.
gall or violet midges
Gall midges affect the development of the flowers. The insects lay their eggs in the buds so that the hatched larvae can feed on the fresh flowers. Remove affected buds that appear swollen and have an uneven shape.
snails
Freshly sprouting leaves are good food for snails in spring. Young plants should therefore be grown isolated. You can set up a snail fence to protect the outdoor plants. Sharp-edged stones offer a natural-looking obstacle.
fungus
Potted plants that are in poorly ventilated locations are colonized by downy mildew if the humidity is too high. The infestation can be recognized by a gray flour coating. Clean affected leaves and mist the plant weekly with a solution of one part milk and eight parts water.
Sweet violet does not bloom
Various causes can come into question when sweet violets do not flower. Check site conditions and ensure consistently high humidity. Soil that is too calcareous can lead to the plants not developing flowers. Add an acidic component to the soil. For pot plants, use a container that is one to two centimeters larger than the root ball. They need a hibernation to flower.
Flowers and location:
tips
Sweet violets grow easily under birch trees where other plants have difficulty surviving. Plant different varieties to create a colorful arrangement. The plants develop hybrids with new shades.