THE HERALD OF SPRING

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 116, 6 August 1927, Page 26

THE HERALD OF SPRING

VIOLETS (VIOLA ODORATA Of all flowers perhaps the most loved is the fragrant violet because it comes in after a very lean period when flowers are scarce. Violets are generally considered easy to grow which in one sense is correct but they are not always flowered to perfection. November is recognised as the best month for transplanting violets but the amateur gardener does not think until he sees them in bloom and so violet planting takes place most of the year round. They can be grown in almost any soil and situation but the best results are obtained on well-worked rich soil that gets the sun during the winter months. If this situation is found, violets will bloom through autumn, winter and spring. To obtain large flowers in the winter it is advisable to plant

healthy, young runners every year. Old plants will never produce firstrate blooms no matter how well they are cultivated.

In many gardens violets may be seen growing thickly along borders or round flower beds and the remark is often made: “My word, what a few flowers and what short stems.” This is only natural as the violet gets over-crowded and cannot flower its best. Young rooted runners (see diagram) should be cut from the parent plant and bedded out every season. There are several distinct varieties of violets grown in Auckland, the most popular being “Princess of Wales,” a large violet, blue shade. The Czar, a dark violet shade with pointer petals. A very attractive double variety is Marie Louise, a French mauve colour and Swanley, a double white species but a shy flowerer.