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The words“violet flowers”often makes you suppose of violet , lilac , or purple - hue blooms that contribute lulu to home gardens and different floral arrangement . However , unknown to some , flowers namedvioletsactually exist .

In fact , violets are one of the most democratic heyday used in gardens and as houseplants . interpret more below and get to know everything about violets .

violets

What Are Violets?

Violets are low produce annuals or short - subsist perennials from theViolagenus in theViolaceae(Violets ) family . They multiply through seeds and short , branching rhizomes ( 1 ) .

The largest genus in its botanical family , theViolagenus let in at least 500 different mintage and thousands of variety and hybrids . Collectively know asviolasorviolets , these flora also go by the namessweet violets , milksop , garden pansies , orjohnny - jump - upsand more , depending on the mintage .

Plant Description

Plants in theViolagenus generally boast scalloped , spirit - form leave that are arranged alternately . The leaves of some species , however , have different shapes . Regardless , reddish blue leaf may develop either on the same stalk as the flower or freestanding stalks .

The flower of violet typically farm singly on a stalk . They are small , five - petaled , and often hail in disconsolate or purple shades , but other eccentric offer yellowish , blank , ointment , or multi - colors .

Origin and Distribution

One of the most recognize flowering plant , violets can be found worldwide both in the natural state and in refinement . Though they are prevailing in most parts of the globe , they can be found most abundantly in area with temperate climates in the Northern Hemisphere . Some species , like the Sweet Violet ( V. odorata ) , are native to Europe and Asia .

Uses

away from their cosmetic value , violet are also valued asedible flowers . They are unremarkably used in salads as ingredients , garnish , or drinks . Violets are also used in medicines , primarily as a laxative .

True Violets (Violas) vs African Violets (Saintpaulias)

While Saintpaulias are commonly known asAfrican Violets , they are not from the same botanic household as theTrue reddish blue .

Unlike violets from theViolagenus , African Violets are from theStreptocarpusgenus . They arecommon houseplantswith shallow origin and fleshy leaves . Their flowers have five flower petal like violet flowers , but what sets them apart is the distinct centre on each bloom . African Violets bloom throughout the summertime .

As theofficial February parentage flower , there are many beautiful types of violets including godforsaken violet you could grow . Here are some common ones :

Sweet Violet

Scientific Name : Viola odorata

Common Names : Sweet Violet , Common Violet , Devon Violet , Sweet Blue Violet , Fragrant Garden Violet

Sweet violetsare showy flower recurrent plants native to Europe . Among other recognise violet species , these ones have always been regarded for their fresh sweetness . Their attractive , sorry , purple , or lavender spring - blooming heyday are edible and grow only about a half - in each .

blue viola

Like the blossom , the eye - mold leaves of these reddish blue are also edible . They can be eaten fresh , candied , or added to salad , iced swallow , or dessert as garnish ( 2 ) .

Known Cultivars of Sweet Violets :

Yellow Wood Violet

Scientific Name : Viola biflora

Common Names : Yellow Wood Violet , Two - color Violet , Alpine Yellow - Violet , Arctic Yellow Violet

Yellow Wood Violets , otherwise known asViola biflora , are perennial herbs that feature beautiful small icteric flowers . They grow in parts of Europe , Asia , and Western North America . Three recognized mixed bag of this species includeV. bifloravarbiflora , V. bifloravaracuminata , andV. bifloravar.rockiana .

violet leaves

Hairy Violet

Scientific Name : Viola hirta

unwashed Name : Hairy Violet

Viola hirtaor more ordinarily calledHairy Violetis a prevalent reddish blue specie similar to Sweet Violets .

violet pansies

Like Sweet Violets , this flora has no erect stem with its leaves and flowers arise directly from the rootstock . The leaves are centre - regulate , and the flowers are small . However , Hairy violet have one distinguishable feature article that can not be found in most Viola species . The entire plant is hairy , resulting in a gray - green appearance when juiceless .

Common Blue Violet

Scientific Name : Viola sororia

Common Names : Common Blue Violet , The Lesbian Flower , Common Meadow Violet , Purple Violet , Woolly Blue Violet , Wood Violet , Hooded Violet

Common Blue Violetis a native perennial flowering plant that reproduce through seeds and rhizomes . It features showy , green , heart - shaped , and hairless leaves and five - petaled purple , dingy , or bloodless flowers ( 3 ) .

saintpaulia ionantha

The flower flower in outpouring to summertime . Like other purple plant life specie , the Common Blue Violet ego - seeds freely and can be potentially invasive as sess , peculiarly in rich and moist country . ‘ Freckles ’ and ‘ Rubra ’ are a few noted cultivars of this attractive reddish blue flower specie ( 4 ) .

Bird’s Foot Violet

Scientific Name : Viola pedata

Common Names : Bird ’s Foot Violet , Mountain Pansy

V. pedata , roll in the hay as theBird ’s Foot VioletorMountain Pansy , is a purple species aboriginal to fundamental and easterly North America . It features unique , deeply divided leaves comparable to a raspberry ’s foot .

light blue pansies

The works is a modest , clumping perennial that acquire only up to 3 inches in peak . It flash dainty flowers in shades of lilac , deep gamy , and violet that bloom from mid to late spring ( 5 ) .

Johnny Jump-Up

Scientific Name : Viola tricolour

Common Names : Johnny Jump - Up , Come - and - Cuddle - Me , Heart ’s Delight , Heart ’s Ease , Wild Pansy

Johnny Jump - Upsare one of the most well - like metal money of violets . They areannuals , biennial , orshort - lived perennialsthat produce up to 5 in in height .

sweet violet

Also calledWild Pansy , these blossom plants produce purple , yellow , and snowy 1 - inch flowers that bloom from former saltation to return ( 6 ) .

How to Grow and Care for Viola Plants

If you love take in colorful blossom in your garden , especially puritanic andpurple heyday , then you need to imbed some violets . Here are our planting baksheesh :

How to plant violas

Growing aViolaplant is easy . It can be grown either by sowing ejaculate indoors or straight off planting them in the garden or container .

grow from seeds : Growing violets from seeds is passably aboveboard and easy . you’re able to do this option if you ’d like to begin grow violets indoors . Sow the seeded player into a aseptic potting mix , see that the seeds are entirely covered . Place the container in a warm location with temperatures of about 65 to 70 degree Fahrenheit and keep it moist to promote germination . The viola seeds will start to germinate after 10 to 14 days . Transplant the conditioned seedlings outdoors 8 to 12 weeks after sowing .

flora space : When establish or transplanting violets directly into the background , provide about 6 to 8 inches of space between plants . track variety need more plant spacing and should be planted about 10 to 12 column inch apart .

yellow wood violet

Light

violet can endure full Lord’s Day with at least 6 hr of direct sunlight a day . However , these garden plants will thrive better in fond shade or shaded area where they encounter direct sun for only 2 to 6 hours per day . Exposing the plant to too much sunlight may result in brown genus Viola leaf spot . It also often make the flower to fade quickly .

Soil

Viola develop best in fertile , moist , and well - enfeeble soil . add constituent material to your somewhat acidify garden territory will highly do good this plant ’s growth . A peat - base potting mix is ideal if you are planting them in a dope or container .

Water

Violets like steady watering , but excessive water system may cause more harm than undecomposed . water supply the plants regularly , ideally when the top soil feel dry , and allow for the soil to dry out between irrigations . Underwatering should also be avoided . While these plants can digest drought for a short point of time , the lack of pee impact the industrial plant ’s blossoming ability .

Temperature

The idealistic temperature for farm violet flower is between40 to 70 degree Fahrenheit . violet are frigid - kind flora , but cool leaping temperatures drops of below 20 degrees Fahrenheit may damage the existing prime bud .

Fertilizing

Just likemany flowers , violets benefit from the proper use of fertilizers during their raise season . Applying a irksome - release plant food in spring and again in late summertime will increase the plant ’s vigour and encourage beautiful bloom growth in fall . Do not overdo fertilizing since that may lead in leggy ontogenesis .

Pruning

To prevent leggy or overgrown plants , cut down back any to a fault long or sprawling stems . This further shaggy , more heavyset plants . Aim to asseverate a balanced form and size by selectively dress longer stems . keep off trend into the central crown of the plant life .

even pruning promotes healthy growth , prolongs unfolding menstruation , and prevent the industrial plant from becoming overcrowded . to boot , remove any expend bloom , also know as deadheading , to encourage continuous bloom throughout the growing time of year .

Common Pest and Diseases of Violet Flowers

Violets , in cosmopolitan , have no serious gadfly and diseases . However , the plants may have some issues with powdery mould , pansy downy mold , violet gall midge , escargot , slugs , spider mites , aphids , and other minor cuss ( 4 ) .

Another common disease of reddish blue isgray mould . It is a disease stimulate by the fungusBotrytisthat manifest through piss - soaked smear , followed by gray - brown Gospel According to Mark with woolly , grey-haired growth . Proper spatial arrangement between flora helps prevent gray mould since good air flow and sufficient sun subdue the disease ’s ontogenesis .

What can I plant with violets?

Here are someflowering ornamentalsthat go well with violet in any garden :

FAQs

Do violas favor full Sunday ?

Viola prefer partial shade to full sunlight , although they can tolerate some wraith . Providing them with morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal for maintain their wellness and vigor .

How long does violas last ?

viola are cool - season annuals that can last from former spring to late outpouring , depending on the clime and arise conditions . With right care , they can bloom continuously for several calendar week or even months .

Are violas easy to uphold ?

Violas are generally well-heeled to keep , requiring regular watering to keep the territory evenly moist , especially during juiceless point . Deadheading spend flowers and periodic fertilization can help push continuous bloom and healthy growth .

How do you take cuttings from viola ?

To take film editing from violas , select healthy stems with several leaves and use clean , sharp-worded scissors or clip shears to slew them just below a foliage node . transfer any lower leaves to expose the stem , and sink the cut end in rooting internal secretion before planting in a well - drain potting mix . Keep the cutting moist and provide indirect sparkle until etymon develop .

What is the best fertilizer for Viola ?

A balanced , water supply - soluble plant food with a proportion such as 10 - 10 - 10 or 20 - 20 - 20 is suitable for violas . Apply the fertilizer consort to the manufacturer ’s instructions , usually every 4 - 6 hebdomad during the turn season , to advance healthy emergence and prolific inflorescence .

Up Next : Violet Flower Meaning and Symbolism

References

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