Early spring has few players in the garden that awaken the spirit and the landscape like violets. I especially like how they seem to appear overnight through a rush of brittle leaves like petaled placards declaring winter is behind us. Botanically speaking, they’re viola odorata. Don’t let their meek presence fool you; they pack a heady, lasting punch of sweet perfume.
When not being watered by wayward bulldogs, violets enjoy growing and spreading in dappled sunlight or light shade. In my garden they need little care and all but disappear in the summer resting up for their winter sleep and spring review.
A cordial glass of violets within arm’s reach and a well-placed nose can make a quiet moment magical; one more sniff and you’re guaranteed a self-induced daydream.
11 responses so far ↓
1 June // Mar 26, 2009 at 4:03 pm
How beautiful & such gorgeous photography, as always. Violets really are nature’s jewels..would rather have just one of these than dozens of hothouse roses. Best of all, site of them really does mean it is spring! Thanks for sharing.
2 noble pig // Mar 26, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Love the bulldog! I used to have a shar-pei so I tend to gravitate toward the wrinkled look. Happy Spring.
3 Martha // Mar 27, 2009 at 1:11 am
The violets make me so happy every year. Your photograph is wonderful – poetic.
Ours change color – purple, white, lavender – from place to place in our yard. The honey bees are all over them and I’m waiting for the butterflies to notice them.
4 Linda // Mar 27, 2009 at 3:09 am
The violets are beautiful, but that Boz is one handsome guy.
I am glad spring is on its way.
Linda
5 M.A. // Mar 31, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Another gorgeous shot, beautifully scripted–always good to see what’s going on at Tall Canvas Farm.
6 Annette // Apr 1, 2009 at 5:36 am
I love that you include where you’ve gotten everything you post about because once I finish reading your posts I need to buy everything!
xo,
Sustainable Eats
7 Eileen @ Passions to Pastry // Apr 9, 2009 at 1:18 pm
I was going to say, these violets would be fabulous candied and placed atop a little cake or tart. Then I saw Boz…
8 Tom // Apr 9, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Good point Eileen
Maybe it’s time to move a few edible plants to the fenced-in herb garden. (No offense Boz)
9 Confessions of a Reluctant Beekeeper // Mar 24, 2010 at 4:49 am
[...] one year ago: Violets: Sweet Scent of Spring’s Arrival [...]
10 Someone’s in the Pasture With Dinah // Apr 9, 2010 at 6:50 pm
[...] year ago: Violets: Sweet Scent of Spring’s Arrival, Baked Beans, Bamboo and [...]
11 Planting Perfume and Memories Fragrant plants you won’t forget // Oct 21, 2010 at 9:51 am
[...] Violets: Viola Odorata, a very early, unassuming spring bloomer with one of my favorites perfumes [...]
Leave a Comment