Not all violets are the same. The scented violets, pansies and horned violets are particularly well known. But these are by no means all species. Here you will get a comprehensive overview of the most important representatives.
What types of violets are there?
The best-known violet species include scented violets (Viola odorata), horned violets (Viola cornuta) and garden pansies. Other interesting species include swamp violets, forest violets, grove violets, Parma violets, Australian violets and Pentecost violets. All violets are edible and rich in vitamin C, salicylic acid and essential oils.
The most famous 3 species
Violets are a genus within the violet plant family. There are more than 500 species of them worldwide. They mainly inhabit the temperate latitudes of the world. The fragrant violets (Viola odorata) are particularly well known. True to their name, they have a strong scent. They bloom between March and May and have purple flowers.
The horned violets (Viola cornuta) have a completely different effect. They have a faint scent and bloom between April and October. There are numerous cultivars of them that can come in a wide variety of colors and even multicolored.
The third well-known violet is the garden pansy. It is very similar to the horned violet. But its flowers are larger. There are also lots of different colored cultivars on the market.
Little known, but still interesting
Here are other species with their flower color, flowering time and other characteristics:
- Swamp violet: light purple, small, April to June
- Forest violet: light purple or white, April to May
- Grove violets: blue-purple, April to June
- Parma violet: double, intensely fragrant, blue-violet, white or light blue, March to May
- Australian violet: white, May to September, not hardy
- Pentecost violet: white, rose-red or violet-blue, May to June
Also the low violet, feather violet, penny-leaved violet, Pyrenean violet, blue violet, wild pansy, bog violet, field pansy, yellow violet, long-spur violet, hill violet, tall violet and Miracle violets should not go unmentioned
Special features of violets
Violets are important as ornamental plants, medicinal plants, kitchen plants and in perfumery. The ornamental representatives that are often planted in gardens include the grove violet 'Purpurea' and the peony violets 'Albiflora' and 'Freckles'. All violets grow to a height of between 5 and 10 cm, are perennial and form runners. They have long-stemmed leaves.
The flowers are always fivefold and capsule fruits are formed from them. The flowering time varies from violet to violet. All species are edible, rich in vitamin C, salicylic acid and essential oils.
Tips & Tricks
The African violets, which are poisonous and popular as houseplants, do not belong to the violet genus.