Fragrant violetis a small perennial with small, intensely fragrant flowers and decorative heart-shaped leaves. Perfect for growing in sheltered places in light shade or under trees. It grows quickly to form green, fragrant carpets. Find out about theproperties of the fragrant violetand see how it is grown in the garden. We also suggest proven methods forpropagating the aromatic violet
Sweet violet - Viola odorata
Fig. pixabay.com
Sweet violet - properties
Sweet violet(Viola odorata) belongs to the violet family (Violaceae) and is found wild in Europe, Asia and North Africa. In Poland, it grows on the edges of forests, wet thickets and sufficiently bright wooded areas.
Violet, known already in ancient times, , was cultivated for itsdecorative, but also healing and cosmetic properties. The fragrant violet is a herbaceous perennial that grows up to 15 cm in height. From rapidly growing, creeping rhizomes grow rosettes of long-tailed, heart-shaped leaves with corrugated edges.
The five-petalled flowers of the fragrant violetwith a small spur are most often bluish-purple in color. There are also breeding varieties of scented violet with blue-violet, white or pink flowers.Violet blooms in spring, from March to MayRepeats flowering in favorable conditions in August or September.
Sweet violet - application
The aromatic violet is widely usedboth decorative and healing.In the garden, violets can be planted in flower beds and flower beds. They work well as border plants, and thanks to their fast spreading, they cover the ground with a beautiful, green carpet. They also do well among shrubs and trees and near water bodies. They emphasize the atmosphere of naturalistic and forest gardens. They are suitable for growing in boxes, containers and balcony pots.
Sweet violet - Viola odorata
Photo. pixabay.com
Violet leaves and flowers have long been valued in herbal medicineThey contain vitamin C, flavonoids, essential oil, saponins, salicylates, mucilages, alkaloids and anthocyanins.
Violet herb is used totreat cystitis and rinse the mouth and throat. It is used in the treatment of metabolic disorders, rheumatism, gout, urolithiasis and gallstone disease.Due to the presence of salicylic acidherb violet has a mildanalgesic effect. Violet infusions and decoctions are used in the treatment of insomnia, nervous stimulation and in the treatment of certain skin diseases.
Preciousaromatic violet oilswere included in cosmetics and perfumes as early as in the 19th century. Fresh flowers were used in the production of chocolates, jellies and liqueurs. Currentlyedible violet flowersare added to salads, cocktails, desserts and cakes.
Sweet violet - Viola odorata
Photo. pixabay.com
Sweet violet - cultivation
Garden violets prefersunny locations, but bloom most beautifully in slightly shaded places. They prefer a slightly acidic to alkaline (5.5-7.0), fertile, humus and moist soil. The soil for the violet must be well drained, as excessive humidity often causes plants to rot.If the violets are grown in a pot, they should be transplanted into a fertile and fresh medium every year.
Sweet violet - watering
Although violets like wet stands, they hate stagnant water. Plants also do not tolerate heat and long-term drought poorly. In general, they do not require watering, but if the temperatures are too high and there is no rainfall, it is worth irrigating them additionally.Watering violetshould be combined with loosening the soil to prevent it from clumping.
Sweet violet - fertilization
For abundant flowering, the plant should be fertilized, especially during the flowering period. However, it should be remembered that violets do not tolerate fresh organic matter. Mature compost can be used for feeding in autumn, and multi-component mineral fertilizer or fertilizer for flowering plants in spring. Thanks to this, we will nourish the plants, giving them a chance to bloom again in August or September.
Sweet violet - Viola odorata
Photo. pixabay.com
Sweet violet - care
If violets are planted on the borders, they must be trimmed periodically so that they do not drown out other plants on the flower bed. Every 3 - 4 years they should also be rejuvenated, otherwise the rim will be thinned and the plants will weaken and become ill.
Fragrant violet is frost-resistant(plant frost resistance zone 5) and it does not require winter cover, but its breeding varieties are often more delicate. Therefore, with the onset of winter, it is worth protecting plants with a layer of dry leaves or tunics.
Sweet violet - reproduction
Violets reproduce very easily by seedsand thanks to self-seeding we can obtain a beautiful, plant carpet. If you want to sow the violet, it is best to do it after harvesting the seeds in August or September.
Violet seeds can be sownon a seedbed or in an unheated greenhouse, bearing in mind, however, that they require a stratification period of several weeks at 0-5 ° C.They should germinate after 140-160 days. In April, we can replant the plants permanently. They will not bloom until the second year of cultivation. Remember thatviolets propagated in this waymay not repeat parental characteristics.
Decorative varieties of fragrant violetare best propagated vegetatively by division. We divide plants in spring (March to May) or fall (August to September). We dig out the mature plant and gently divide it into several parts, so that each has a well-developed root system. We plant new plants immediately at their destination.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
