Sweet Violet

(Viola odorata)

Sweet Violet (Viola odorata)

Andreas Rockstein

CC BY-SA 2.0

Image By: Andreas Rockstein

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Andreas Rockstein | License Type: CC BY-SA 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ | Uploader: anro0002 | Publisher: Flickr

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Viola odorata, commonly known as Sweet Violet, is an evergreen perennial herb native to a variety of habitats including open woodlands, forest margins, and grasslands across Europe, Western and Northern Iran, and Northwest Africa. This plant typically forms a low-growing ground cover, reaching heights of 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) and spreading 8–24 inches (20–61 cm). Sweet Violet is characterized by its basal rosette of heart-shaped leaves with downy leaf-stalks and highly fragrant flowers that appear in late winter to early spring. The blooms are usually dark violet or white and are noted for their sweet scent.

Sweet Violet is valued for its delightful fragrance and early spring flowers, which can enliven a garden when little else is in bloom. It is often used in shaded garden areas, woodland plantings, and as an underplanting for larger shrubs. While it thrives in full sun, it also tolerates part shade and prefers moist, well-drained soils. Sweet Violet can be propagated by division of the stolons. However, gardeners should be aware that it can spread vigorously and may become invasive in some regions. It is also susceptible to common pests like slugs and snails.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 0.5-0.8 feet
Width: 1-2 feet
Growth Rate: Rapid
Flower Color: Purple
Flowering Season: Spring, Winter
Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

Sun: Part Shade, Full Sun
Water: Medium
Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fragrant, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Native to open woodlands, forest margins, and grasslands

Other Names

Common Names: Garden Violet, English Violet, Florist’s Violet, Common Violet, March Violet, Sweet Blue Violet, Marts-Viol, Wohlriechendes Veilchen, März-Veilchen, Tuoksuorvokki

Scientific Names: , Viola odorata, Viola spectabilis, Viola odorata f. odorata, Viola gonzaloi, Viola cyclophylla, Viola vilmoriniana, Viola martia, Viola martii subsp. odorata, Viola odorata subsp. rierolae

GBIF Accepted Name: Viola odorata L.