Viola odorata Bruneau

Viola odorata 'Bruneau' is a new variety of double-flowered violet for shaded areas.

This European violet grows spontaneously in woodland. It is widely used in perfumery and homeopathy, especially for calming rheumatism. In the garden, it self-seeds everywhere in shaded areas, and forms carpets where many perennials struggle to grow.

This ground-covering perennial forms clusters of heart-shaped leaves that spread through short stolons. In March and April, it bears an abundance of small, bright blue-purple double flowers that emit a delightful fragrance.

This fragrant violet can be grown in border beds or rockeries with cowslips, common primroses, Solomon's seals, or 'Diane Clare' lungworts.

Violets and pansies belong to the Violaceae genus. How can you differentiate a violet from a pansy? By the arrangement of their petals. Violets have two upright petals and three downward-facing petals. Pansies have four upright petals, and a dropping fifth petal that is larger than the others. Violets are almost all native to temperate regions of the world. The vast majority of them are perennials, but hybrids with large flowers are sold and used as annual plants.