African Violets

Saintpaulia, commonly referred to as African violet, is native to Tanzania and Kenya.

African Violets are also native to most tropical places in the world. You do not typically grow these from seed.

Most people grow them by cutting part of the plant and using pieces to grow a new plant. Because you do not usually use a seed, some species are slowly becoming endangered because they are being cleared for agriculture.

They typically grow between two and five inches and are more expansive than one foot, so they do not take up much room. The flowers on African violets bloom in violet, purple, pale blue, or white. They grow better in warmer climates because too much cold weather can make the leaves lose color.

Violets have been used to represent mothers and motherhood. Women are given gifts in many cultures worldwide when they are expecting or after having a baby. Because of their bright colors, they are also linked with Easter and Valentine’s Day. They should occasionally be watered, not letting the roots get dry. It would be best if you did not replant them in a more significant pot because they grow best when their roots get crowded. They do need moderate light to grow correctly, but it does not need to be direct light. If grown inside, then they will need to be rotated every week. Each section requires the same sun to prevent one side from growing more significantly than the other. The only pests that bother these plants are the mealybug.

However, you can easily avoid these pests if they grow inside and are cleaned monthly. They need to be “fed” with fertilizer once a month to help them bloom. Violets can be grown any year because you can cut leaves and grow a new plant. They also need humidity to grow. One day to add moisture to the air when they are growing inside is to spray warm water in the air around the plant. It adds just enough humidity to promote growth. However, if they are growing outside in a tropical region, you will not worry about this. These plants do need a particular type of soil to grow correctly. However, it can be purchased or made yourself.

Source of Information on African Violets: TN Nursery

Sweet Violet - TN Nursery

Sweet Violet

Sweet Violet is a low-growing wildflower with heart-shaped leaves and fragrant, deep purple flowers often found in woodlands and gardens. They offer numerous benefits when incorporated into landscaping projects, enhancing outdoor spaces' visual appeal, ecological diversity, and sensory experience. This perennial flowering plant contributes to various dimensions of landscape design. Sweet Violet is a long-lived perennial wildflower that some people call "wild violet." The ancient Greeks revered the flower as a symbol of fertility and used it in love potions. Perfumers prize its sweet fragrance, and confectioners use it to add color and beauty to gourmet candies. Natural Habitat Of Sweet Violet (Viola odorata) Native to Europe and naturalized in the United States, it grows naturally in open deciduous woodlands and hedgerows. It appears along forest edges and adds bright springtime color to clearings, pastures, meadows, and swamps. The flower's blooming season typically starts in February and lasts through May. Appearance Of Sweet Violet  It grows in four-inch-tall rosettes. Its delicate, aromatic flowers are typically dark purplish-blue, but lilac, lavender, pink, and white variations are common. The tiny, five-petaled blossoms are about one inch across and slightly taller than they are wide. The foliage underneath the flowers consists of downy, dark green, heart-shaped leaves with toothed edges. Both the flowers and the leaves rise from horizontal runners. Sweet Violet Makes A Great Ground-Cover Gardeners frequently plant it to add color and greenery to their landscaping. This plant adds quiet charm to cottage gardens, woodland gardens, borders, and planters. It does well in flower beds and adds color underneath shrubs and trees. The cut flowers make lovely candies and decorations for desserts. Once established, it will spread out moderately, giving this plant a good ground cover in moist, sunny areas. You can propagate the plant with seeds or divide it late in the season after they stop flowering. Cut the runners and any spindly tendrils in late fall to encourage a bright show of blooms in spring. Sweet Violet Provides Food Sources For Pollinators Though Sweet Violet grows close to the ground, the plants are an essential food source for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and moths. Woodland butterflies drink their nectar, and caterpillars eat their leaves. Songbirds and grazing animals enjoy eating the foliage and seeds, including rabbits, geese, woodchucks, and deer. When you want to add color and subtle beauty to your garden, planting it will help you welcome the spring season year after year. What conditions does the sweet violet thrive in Sweet violets grow best in partial to full shade and well-draining, moist soil. They are perfect for shaded garden borders, in containers, or under large trees, where they add color to dark spaces.  When do sweet violets bloom?  Sweet violets bloom in early spring and produce delightful flowers in shades of purple, white, or pink color. Their flowers are attractive and give out a soft and rather magical scent.  Are sweet violets easy to grow Yes, sweet violets are easy to cultivate, so they suit new gardeners. Once they have been planted, they grow on their own and do not really need any tending apart from occasional watering and weeding.  Can sweet violets be grown indoors?  Absolutely! Sweet violets can do well in pots and, therefore, can be brought indoors, provided they receive indirect sunlight. For instance, putting them in a location close to a light window will ensure they grow successfully.  Do sweet violets attract wildlife  Yes, sweet violets attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. These plants can help make your outdoor space vibrant and lively.

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