Viola odorata

Viola odorata, it is the European violet, spontaneous in the woods. In the garden, it self-seeds itself everywhere in the shaded areas, even dry ones, and forms carpets where many perennials struggle to grow.

This ground-covering perennial forms rounded clumps of heart-shaped leaves that spread through short stolons. In March, April, its numerous small bluish-purple flowers exude a delightful fragrance. It thrives in border beds or rock gardens with primroses, Solomon's seals, and small ferns.

The flower of the sweet violet is commonly used in desserts the leaves are also edible.

Violets and pansies belong to the Viola genus. How to differentiate a violet from a pansy? By the arrangement of their petals: the former has two upright petals and three downward-facing petals, while the latter has four upright petals, with the fifth, larger than the others, bowing its head. 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.