Viola odorata | Rosea Mastering the art of flower gardening a collage of vintage images

a collage of vintage images including hives

which are a lovely contrast in the borders or in pots

Protect them for the afternoon sun in warmer climates

Due to its height and the weight of the flowers it can tend to flop so I tend to plant ours at the back amongst other plants that will support it and also do stake them on occasion

Viola odorata | Rosea Mastering the art of flower gardening a collage of vintage imagesA lovely little sweet English Violet in a very hard to find rosy pink colour! Also known as Parma violets, they are the most fragrant of all the sweet violets, and grow well in shady, moist areas and can suppress weeds. Viola odorata is a semi evergreen perennial that produces fragrant pink flowers from late winter to early spring. It's perfect for growing in a sheltered spot in light shade and can make good ground cover in a dappled woodland garden