Sweet violets are cherished for their delicate flowers and intense, sweet fragrance. Their candy-like perfume has made them a favorite in gardens for centuries. If you want to add their beauty and nostalgic scent to your yard, you may be wondering where to find sweet violet plants for sale.
Several reputable nurseries offer these charming heirloom plants online and by mail order I’ll share tips on where to buy various types of sweet violets and how to choose healthy, vigorous plants.
A Bit About Sweet Violets
Sweet violets (Viola odorata) are a species of violet known for their incredibly sweet fragrance They are low-growing, spreading perennials that produce flowers in spring
Some types are hardy flowering carpets, while tender “Parma violets” need protection in zone 7 and below. The blooms come in hues of purple blue pink, white and lavender.
All parts are edible. The flowers make lovely candied decorations, and the heart-shaped leaves add flavor to salads. Sweet violets have a long history of use in perfumes as well.
They prefer partial sun to full shade and spread moderately to form fragrant, colorful groundcovers. Well-suited to woodland settings, they also work nicely in flower beds, rock gardens and containers.
Where to Find Sweet Violet Plants for Sale
Quality matters when shopping for plants online or by mail. Here are some recommended nurseries that sell top-grade sweet violets:
Select Seeds
This company offers a nice selection of named heirloom Parma and sweet violet plants. Their varieties include:
- Parma ‘Marie Louise’ – Double purple
- Parma ‘Duchesse de Parme’ – Single purple
- Parma ‘Comte de Brazza’ – Single bluish purple
- Sweet ‘Rosina’ – Double pink-lavender
- Sweet ‘Queen Charlotte’ – Double white
Plants are shipped at the optimal planting time in spring or fall. They come bare root and are hardy in zones 5-9.
TN Nursery
This grower sells Sweet Violets as affordable bare root plants. They ship nationwide and sell packs of 5, 25 or 100 plants.
Their sweet violets produce flowers in hues of deep purple. The bare roots establish quickly when planted in spring or fall.
American Meadows
This wildflower nursery offers sweet violet seeds and bare root plants. Their plants are grown from seed, not cuttings, so each plant is genetically unique.
They offer a mixed pack of at least 3 color types – purple, white and blue shades. Plants grow 4-6 inches tall and bloom in spring.
Outsidepride
For a budget-friendly option, check out the sweet violet seedlings from Outsidepride. Their plants grow into a fragrant flowering carpet of violet-blue blooms.
The 1/2 inch plugs easily transplant into beds or containers. Allow 8-12 weeks from shipping date before plants bloom.
Violet Barn
This specialty nursery sells various types of violets including Parma, sweet and wild species. Their plants are shipped at proper planting times in spring and fall.
Offerings include sweet violets in blue, pink, purple, lavender and white. You can also find rare varieties like the peppermint scented ‘King of Violets.’
What to Look for When Buying
To get the best results from your sweet violet plants for sale, look for:
- Healthy, green leaves with no brown spots or discoloration
- Good root system (for bare root plants)
- Plants sized proportionately to pot or root mass
- No disease, pests, mold or rot
- Grown from seed, not cuttings for genetic diversity
- Shipped at the right planting time for your zone
Always check a nursery’s guarantee and growing practices before purchasing. Reputable sellers will replace plants that fail to thrive when given proper care.
How to Plant and Grow Sweet Violets
Here are some tips for success after your plants arrive:
- Plant in spring or fall during mild weather
- Choose a site with rich, moist soil and partial to full shade
- Space plants 6-12 inches apart in groups or rows
- Set bare roots just below the soil surface; cover lightly with compost or soil
- Water thoroughly after planting and mist leaves until established
- Apply organic mulch like leaves or straw to retain moisture
- Pinch off spent blooms to encourage reblooming
- Divide plants every 2-3 years in fall to control spread
With proper planting and care, your sweet violets will flourish and scent the garden for years to come. Their nostalgic fragrance and delicate flowers make charming additions to any outdoor space.
Appearance Of Sweet Violet
It grows in four-inch-tall rosettes. Its delicate, aromatic flowers are typically dark purplish-blue, but lilac, lavender, pink, and white variations are common. The tiny, five-petaled blossoms are about one inch across and slightly taller than they are wide. The foliage underneath the flowers consists of downy, dark green, heart-shaped leaves with toothed edges. Both the flowers and the leaves rise from horizontal runners.
Gardeners frequently plant it to add color and greenery to their landscaping. This plant adds quiet charm to cottage gardens, woodland gardens, borders, and planters. It does well in flower beds and adds color underneath shrubs and trees. The cut flowers make lovely candies and decorations for desserts.
Once established, it will spread out moderately, giving this plant a good ground cover in moist, sunny areas. You can propagate the plant with seeds or divide it late in the season after they stop flowering. Cut back the runners and any weak tendrils in late fall to get lots of blooms in the spring.
Bugs and butterflies, as well as moths and bees, need to eat Sweet Violet plants, even though they grow close to the ground. Woodland butterflies drink their nectar, and caterpillars eat their leaves. Songbirds and grazing animals enjoy eating the foliage and seeds, including rabbits, geese, woodchucks, and deer. If you want to add color and soft beauty to your garden, planting it will help you welcome spring every year.
Natural Habitat Of Sweet Violet
Native to Europe and naturalized in the United States, it grows naturally in open deciduous woodlands and hedgerows. It appears along forest edges and adds bright springtime color to clearings, pastures, meadows, and swamps. The flowers blooming season typically starts in February and lasts through May.
Sweet Violet Plants – Scented & unusual rare plants by Groves
FAQ
What zone do sweet violets grow in?
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Genus Name
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Viola
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Season Features
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Fall Bloom, Spring Bloom, Winter Bloom
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Special Features
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Cut Flowers, Fragrance, Good for Containers, Low Maintenance
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Zones
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10, 11, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
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Propagation
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Division, Seed, Stem Cuttings
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What type of plant is sweet violet?
Species is the lowest level and represents the group of the same plant. The botanical name of Sweet Violet is Viola odorata. In Latin Viola means the violet and odorata sweet smelling. It belongs to plant family Violaceae. Below is given a taxonomical classification of the plant.
Are sweet violets perennials?
Sweet violets are widely adapted perennials that have a delicate fragrance and taste. Here are some varieties of sweet violets, colorful hybrid annual pansies, and violas to try in your garden. Sweet Violet ( Viola odorata) — Also known as the English violet or common violet.
Where does sweet violet come from?
The Sweet violet (Viola odorata), also known as the Wood violet or Common violet, originates from the Mediterranean and Caucus regions but has also been introduced to North America. It belongs to the genus Viola and has been a prized aromatic and healing plant since ancient times and throughout the Middle Ages.
What is a sweet violet odorata?
The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources. Deliciously scented, Viola odorata (Sweet Violet) is an indispensable perennial for the shade garden. Blooming in late winter and early spring, it provides attractive foliage, fragrance, and color at a season when few other plants are at their peak.
