The Russian violet (Viola suavis) is a robust, cold-hardy herbaceous perennial known for its intense, sweet fragrance and pale blue to violet flowers. Horticulturists value it for its ability to spread rapidly via stolons to form dense ground cover in shaded areas. It blooms earlier in the spring than many other violets, making it a staple in traditional woodland garden designs.
Heard on the job
We'll divide the Russian violets this autumn to fill out the bare patches under the old oaks.