Dance of the Violets

A low-growing perennial reaching approximately 4 inches in height, the violet is particularly suitable for rock gardens, banks, as a border for ponds or anywhere groundcover is desired. It will prosper if given a moist, rich bed of soil of between 7 and 8 pH and plenty of sun, although most varieties will tolerate partial shade. Violets can be easily transplanted to your garden from the wild as long as you are able to duplicate the conditions in which it was found. Since violets grow on runners, they will spread rapidly each year and may need thinning out. Also, the flower heads will burst forth with more frequency if excess runners are trimmed.

The violet is quite agreeable to propagation by seed or root division, but the easiest method is to clip the off-shoots in early spring and root them in soil at least 1 foot apart. Some species can be grown from seed sown in outdoor frames in early autumn, the seeds of which need to experience freezing temperatures before they will germinate. However, the frames should be covered with burlap until germination occurs, usually within 10 to 20 days. Cover the frames with mulch to protect the young plants from winter's chill.

The flowers of different species of violets range in color, but most frequently they are deep purple, blue, white, or pink. The pansy, or V. Triclor is one of the more popular hybrids due to its particularly beautiful flowers. Several species are native to North America, such as V. Blanda and V. Lanceolata, both of which are aromatic and thrive in swampy conditions. V. Pedata is prized for it's large flowers which reminds one of a bird's foot. This species produces flowers of every conceivable color. Other popular species are V. Palmata, which makes an early entrance in late winter; V. sagittata, the leaves of which grow to an unusually large size after flowering; and V. rostrata, which enjoys a moist, rocky environment. V. pubescens produces large pale green foliage and the flowers of V. rotundifolia are an exquisite yellow. The Canadian violet, V. Canadensis, is an unusually tall species that yields white star-shaped flowers. Most violets have slightly toothed leaves of varying degree and shape which is probably why what is commonly called the dog-tooth violet is often mistaken as a relative. The association ends with the common name since the dog-tooth violet, or Erythronium denscanis, is

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