Pretty, fully frost-tolerant medicinal violet that’s great as a ground-cover. Evergreen and blooms aromatic purple blooms at all times except high summer. Edible leaves. Historically used for respiratory ailments, insomnia, and skin disorders, is the traditional flower of Aphrodite, and symbol of Athens. This plant absolutely hates the heat – every year we have to nurse ours through summer. From May to September, grow indoors in a room temperature window or a cooled greenhouse. GOOD LUCK!

• Aromatic
• Edible flowers
• Early flowering
• Medicinal herb

It is always a joy to see the little violet emerge early in the year and folklore says gathering the first violet in spring brings your dearest wish. The flowers, with their distinctive perfume, are used medicinally, for herb pillows, cakes and baking.

Plant care

• Height: 10-30cm
• Type: Hardy
• Aspect: Sun/shade
• Soil: Any/alkaline
• Flower colour: Purple
• Flowering period: March-April

This lovely little herb naturally grows in woodlands and hedgerows where it enjoys some shade and rich moist soils that are well drained and this wants to be replicated in the garden. It slowly spreads and can eventually produce a carpet of violet flowers in early spring for areas under deciduous trees and shrubs. It can be grown in containers, especially ones with larger plants already growing, where its roots wont get too wet and sodden over the winter.