Perennial Viola Flowers

Violas are known as violets, pansies and johnny-jump-ups.

Viola. Violetta. Violets. Ancient Greeks grew them for Demeter. Romans used them in weddings. Augustine of Hippo mentions in his "City of God": "the wedding bed, decorated with flowers, often with saffron-dyed sheets and violets after the fashion of the wedding bed of Jupiter and Juno." Homer said they were in the Garden of Calypso. Shakespeare wrote them into the bank where Titania sleeps in "A Midsummer Night's Dream." And in 1819, Charlotte de Latour taught in "Le Langage des Fleurs" ("The Language of Flowers)" that violets stood for innocence. Clearly, these small flowers have had an historical impact, and today they continue to bring their delicate scent to the garden.

Genera and Species

Heartsease and johnny-jump-up are similar types of viola.

According to a paper written by Peter Robinson, a UK horticultural adviser, "true violets belong to the family Violaceae, containing some 20 genera, and are members of the genus Viola. This genus is divided into a number of sections that split the 400 to 500 species within the genus into groups of plants with similar characteristics." Pansies fall into the group "melanium." Stemless or "mock pansies" are "chaemelanium." And most true violets from the viola odorata and viola suavis families are in the group "nominium." African violets are another form altogether, and are grown indoors, unlike true violets, which thrive outside.

Specifics

Violas are perennial; they typically reseed themselves. Gardeners may plant them annually, however, to be sure they get a steady show of blooms. Some violas are biennials, blooming every two years, or lasting two years before the plants die off. The spots, blotches and lines on many species draw bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects. These markings give pansies their "face." Some varieties have heart-shaped leaves; others are more oval. Today's varieties come in many colors, with blends of many different colors.

Growing Violas

White violets were once very popular with Victorian growers.

Violas are easy to grow in most climates. They can be grown from seed or starter plants. Indoor seeding can begin six weeks before planting season begins. Many growers plant violas in their various forms in clusters and beds in early spring. The plants grow best in cool seasons, before the heat of summer sets in. They do well under the dappled shade of deciduous trees, as well as in spots that get some sun. Growers ought not place them where they will be subject to wilting from too many hours of direct sunlight. They will bloom almost continuously until early summer. Some may bloom again in the autumn in certain zones. Pinching off dead blooms assures new ones will form, but the plants can be allowed to go to seed as well for next season.

Victoriana Applications

Pansies can be easily grown and will often reseed themselves.

During Victorian times, violets featured often in the little clusters of flowers known as poseys, tussie-mussies and nosegays. Combined with herbs, roses and other small flowers, violets played an important role in communicating emotion and feelings. Violets were also pressed into books as keepsakes from special moments. In an 1879 publication from the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain, 96 varieties of violas grown for trial at the society's gardens in Chiswick are detailed. Such names as "Countess," "Bridal Wreath," "Rosalind" and "Lady Sophia" make clear the intended uses as well as for whom they were grown.

Johnny-Jump-Ups

This little prolific flower should get a special mention. They grow so easily and literally pop or "jump up" all over the garden, often covering banks of streams, or meadow-like sections of some areas where they have a longer growing season. Anyone who has a neighbor thinning their plants might ask for a couple, and very soon after will find their own yard sprouting Johnnys everywhere. Some people think of them as weeds, but many growers appreciate their thick little patches and flowers suitable for picking.

References

• American Violet Society: Violets: Who is Who?
• UK National Viola and Pansy Society Newsletter Autumn 1997: The Pansy
• Bonny Doon Garden Company: The History of the Language of Flowers
• "The City of God" (Latin: De Civitate Dei); Augustine of Hippo; 1470
• Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society, Volume 5"; Samuel Jennings, editor; 1879

Resources

• American Horticultural Society
• UK National Viola and Pansy Society
• Worthopedia: Booklet: Victorian Antique Posey / Flower Holders
• "Le Langage des Fleurs" (English: The Language of Flowers) by Charlotte de Latour
• Literary Calligraphy: Excerpts from "Flowers, the Angels' Alphabet" by Susan Loy