Viola odorata Vanilla

Viola odorata 'Vanilla' lives up to its name. This variety of scented violet stands out for the creamy yellow colour of its flowers, which is very rare among violets. They bloom in spring on a beautiful dense carpet of dark green leaves, exhaling a delicate fragrance. In the garden, it easily and quickly establishes itself in shaded areas, even occasionally dry ones, beautifying the soil where many perennials struggle to grow. It also makes charming flower pots when planted at the base of larger plants that will bloom in summer.

Viola odorata, also known as European violet, is also called by various regional names such as Sweet Violet, English Violet, Garden Violet, Common Violet, English Violet and March Violet. This small perennial of the Violaceae family is native to clear woods, edges, hedges, lawns, meadows, and roadside verges.

'Vanilla', sometimes mistakenly marketed under the names Viola odorata 'Sulphurea' or 'Irish Elegans', has a somewhat mysterious genealogy. The unusual colour of its flowers has often raised doubts about its relationship with Viola odorata. This fast-growing cultivar effectively covers the ground with small rounded and crinkled tufts composed of tightly packed heart-shaped leaves, which are quite dark green. The plant spreads through short stolons, similar to strawberries. The foliage, more or less evergreen, up to 5 cm (2in) tall, may disappear in summer in case of drought. The flowering of this Vanilla variety takes place in March-April, sometimes as early as February if the weather permits. Clumps of leaves appear on peduncles 12-15 cm (5-6in) tall, each bearing a violet-coloured bud bent towards the ground, which opens up into a delicate yellow flower. Made up of 5 petals, they exhale a delicate but distinct floral fragrance, slightly green and sweet. The flower of the scented violet is commonly used in pastry making; the leaves are also edible.

The fragrant 'Vanilla' violet will thrive in almost any location, as long as it is planted in a semi-shaded position that is not too dry. It can be used to adorn the base of trees and bushes, in borders, along pathways, or in rock gardens where it often self-seeds. For example, you can associate it with primroses, pansies or horned violets, lily of the valley, liverworts, and small ferns. It can also be grown in pots or containers to be placed on the windowsill (for its light fragrance), or on the patio, without forgetting to water it.

Violets and pansies belong to the Viola genus. How can you differentiate a violet from a pansy? By the arrangement of their petals: the former has two upright petals and three petals pointing downwards, while the latter has four upright petals, with the fifth, larger than the others, drooping. Violets are almost all native to temperate regions of the globe. The vast majority of them are perennials, but hybrids with large flowers are sold and used as annual plants.