Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Wild Violets Sweet Violets

When I was a child I dug up a small plant with purple flowers and brought it home. That plant was a wild violet, Viola odorata, sometimes called sweet violet. I didn't know the plant would multiply. By the end of the summer every windowsill in our home was filled with wild violet plants. My mother started giving violet plants to everyone she knew.

Yesterday I noticed the corner to our road is covered with wild violets. I ran out to take a photo to show you because we are expecting a bit of a cold snap. While I was researching information about the wild violet I found a blog post here about wild violet syrup. Since the plant is hardy and spreads easily I may harvest a bunch of the flowers and make some wild violet syrup. I hope the flowers last through the cold tonight.


The Violet
BY JANE TAYLOR
Down in a green and shady bed,
   A modest violet grew,
Its stalk was bent, it hung its head,
   As if to hide from view.

And yet it was a lovely flower,
   Its colours bright and fair;
It might have graced a rosy bower,
   Instead of hiding there,

Yet there it was content to bloom,
   In modest tints arrayed;
And there diffused its sweet perfume,
   Within the silent shade.

Then let me to the valley go,
   This pretty flower to see;
That I may also learn to grow
   In sweet humility.

While I was taking photos of the flowers I noticed leaves which looked like strawberry leaves and leaves of a bulb type of plant. I'll have to take a walk there often and keep my eyes open. If you have time look closely underfoot and at every turn, you never know what you may find. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

UPDATE - THINK THIS IS VIOLA TRILOBA

12 comments:

  1. Quite different to the violets I know - and lovely. And yes, they do look like strawberry leaves. Yum.

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  2. Hi Elephant's Child, thanks, well I hope these are truly violets before I make the violet syrup, apparently there are many different violets with varying leaves as well.

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  3. They are a little different to the violets around here - but still very pretty indeed. That wonderful, elusive scent is only found on some of the violets in my area...I keep on checking them out, no doubt I cut a ridiculous figure as I crouch down and sniff!

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  4. Hello, it is snowing here in Eastern Maine. Violets seems a far dream.

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  5. It's so lovely to see violets in bloom! Wild violets seem to look more fragile, although I'm sure they are tough!
    We have many varieties coming up! Given our coat of snow this morning our violets have been shrinking!
    Looking forward to violet syrup.

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  6. I've got violets gallore, with a few sprinkles of dandelions. I remember having violets in a spring salad once. Not much flavor actually. But pretty.

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  7. what a lovely post! I had a mother in-law who collected violets on her hands and knees and made them into a wonderful jelly. I can almost taste that syrup! Yes, we must keep our eyes open ... beauty at every turn. I just love that you have the violets growing at your new place ... a sense of homecoming ...

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  8. Oh what a lovely post. I see them here in the fields in Spring growing that color. Oh love that glass container syrup jar of lavender. Oh what a perfect piece of joy to look at.

    We are dripping for syrup out back but seen the deer near the trees. They better not of knocked the pails over .

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  9. oh must say I enjoyed the poem but that jar I am hooked on that photo with the flowers so perfectly shown and the note and couple of drops of the flower tops. Is it the reflection that shows with syrup in it or it is a empty s jar? Great post. Awesome pictures for a Wed morning. It can give a very imaginative look to each viewer. Excellent. Just love it.

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  10. The green and shady bed--
    We have masses of violets blooming in the shady valleys of one metro park this time of year. I must go look.

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  11. Hi Elaine, thanks, I didn't detect any fragrance to these but perhaps there was, must check next time.

    Hi Christine, thanks, it could almost snow here as it turned cold at night but not quite.

    Hi Suzi, thanks, they do look fragile as their petals are so thin, it must be sight to see the violets all in bloom together, these are growing on a barren rocky hill.

    Hi Barbara, thanks, oh I think the weeds are wonderful in a lawn I saw many think they are a nuisance but how coulc something so pretty be bad.

    Hi Teresa, thanks, oh I'll bet that jelly was wonderful, can't wait to make the syrup. I must remember to go slowly to see more.

    Hi Corrine, thanks, freshly made maple syrup would be wonderful anything made from natures bounty. The jar is indeed filled with the syrup, click on the word source to be taken to the blog that had the photo and another recipe to make the syrup.

    Hi Joanne, thanks, I have only seen violets growing in the shade but here they are in full sun on a rocky slope so this variety must be a more mountainous type that likes dryness. Do go look they are a sight to see all in bloom at the same time.

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  12. Hi Mia, thanks, sorry I thought you were someone else who had sparkle on their blog, thanks for visiting.

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I love suggestions, questions, critiques, thanks for your comment