The stories behind this popular posy are fascinating as are the many uses for the 'shy violet.'

Roses are Red / Violets are Blue / Sugar is Sweet / And so are You.

Myths and Legends

The Greek word for violet is io. Io is a character in Greek mythology and the daughter of King Argos. Zeus loved her. However, Zeus was concerned that Hera would discover their ilicit affair, so he turned Io into a heifer and then created the sweet-scented flowers that we now know as violets for her to eat while in her heifer form.

The scent of violets was the favorite perfume of Josephine Bonaparte. When Napoleon returned from banishment in Elba, Josephine was dead. He picked a bouquet of violets for her grave before then being exiled to Elba. When Napoleon died, violets and a lock of Josephine’s hair were found in a locket.

Description

Violets are small plants; they grow only six inches tall. The leaves are heart shaped and form a basal rosette from which the flowers rise on long stalks.

There are three common varieties of violet. The sweet violet has fragrant white or purple flowers and blooms in the early spring. The scent of the sweet violet is the strongest of the common violets. The wood violet is slightly larger than the sweet violet and is very similar to the common dog violet which blooms later in the season.

Care

Violets are easy plants to grow. They thrive in moderately heavy, rich soil but will do well in most locations unless drainage is poor. Once established they are self-maintaining, even invasive. Some violets spread through runners and others self-seed. Self-seeding violets have an unusual method of fertilization known as cleistogamy. In cleistogamy, flowers that never fully open will self-fertilize and produce seeds.

Uses

Violets are a versatile flower. They have medicinal, aromatic, medicinal, and even romantic uses.

Medicinal Uses

Sweet violets are the only medicinal violets. They are a useful herb with both expectorant and diuretic properties. Violets can be taken in a tea for coughs, colds, and rheumatism. Sweet violets make a soothing poultice for external usage. The essential oil of violets can also be used in aromatherapy.

Aromatic Uses

Many perfumes use the essential oil of violets. The flowers can also be used in potpourris and floral waters.

Culinary Uses

Candied violets are beautiful on top of cakes. Add blossoms to fresh salads and desserts for a decorative touch.

Some suggest that violets make good vinegars and oils.

Romantic

Who can deny the sweetness of a fistful of violets presented by a small child or tucked into a posy for May Day?

Sources:

Wells, Diana. 100 Flowers and How They Got Their Names. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 1997

Houdret, Jessica. PracticalHerbGarden Hermes House, 2002

McVicar, Jekka. The Complete Herb Book. Kyle Cathie Limited, 1994.

This article reports the common medicinal uses of the herb known as sweet violet. Any herbal remedies attempted by the reader are done so at his or her own risk.