Sweet Violet

Sweet Violet Overview

Viola odorata is a perennial plant from the Violaceae family. Commonly known by many names including Sweet Violet and English Violet. It produces kidney to heart-shaped leaves and attractive scented purple or white flowers measuring around 2cm across. This is a spreading, rhizomatous plant which grows about 8cm tall. The leaves are dark green, pointed and heart to kidney-shaped with shallowly toothed edges. Viola is a large genus of approximately 500 species. They are mainly annuals, biennials, deciduous or evergreen/semi-evergreen perennials. Most species are found in diverse habitats in temperate regions all over the world. Most of the popular cultivars - often referred to as Pansies or Violas - are complex hybrids, some of which are lightly scented, many of which are bi-or multi-coloured. There is a Viola species suitable for just about every garden situation - from rock gardens to summer bedding to spring-flowering bulbs - and they are popular for year-round container gardening.