VIOLA, the VIOLET; a genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the syngenesia class of plants. There are many species. The odorata, odoriferous, or common sweet-scented March violet, with the flowers of different colours in the varieties, appearing in March. The flowers impart a fine sweet odour, and are used in medicine. It grows naturally in woods, and under hedges, &c. in most parts of Europe; but has been a long resident of gardens as a flowery plant, and for its use in medicine.
2. The tricolor, or three-coloured violet, commonly called heart's-ease, or pansey, assumes a bushy, tufted growth; and at the axillae of the branches are numerous variegated, three-coloured flowers, yellow, purple, and white, appearing in constant succession all summer and autumn. It grows naturally in cultivated places in the north of England, &c.
This elegant little plant merits culture in every garden, for the beauty and great variety of its three-coloured flowers; and it will succeed any where in the open borders, or other compartments, disposed in patches towards the front; either by sowing the seed at once to remain,
Violations remain, or by putting in young plants previously raised in a feed-bed: they will begin flowering early in summer, and will continue shooting and flowering in succession till winter; and even during part of that season in mild weather.
The common violet is propagated by parting the roots, sometimes by seed.