Viola: The Vivacious Little Vibe You Never Knew You Needed
Hello Weekly Whorlers! This week we talk about the Viola, a flower often overlooked but secretly rules the garden with its understated charm and surprising versatility. You might think of them as just "Pansies' smaller cousins", but trust us, Violas are total rockstars in their own right. They're popping up everywhere from high-end culinary dishes to the most exclusive floral arrangements. Lets Get Vibing With Viola!
How We Got Here: The History Of Viola
While Violas might seem like a fresh trend, their roots run deep from Ancient Greece to Napoleonic France. Weaving their story through centuries of human history, folklore and even high politics!
The earliest records of Violas date back to Ancient Greece around the year 500 BCE. Not only admired for their beauty, they also were highly prized for uses in herbal remedies, food, wine and love potions!
In the Victorian Era, Violas exploded in popularity due in part to the budding Language of Flowers. Purple Violas often signified modesty or nostalgia, White Violas represented innocence and Yellow Violas suggested a newly discovered desire.
One of the most romantic historical connections involves Napoleon and his beloved Josephine. Violas were not only her favorite flower, but also became a powerful symbol of their love and a secret emblem for his followers. Napoleon always sent her Violas on their anniversary, and supporters would wear them to show their loyalty towards him, and their hope for his return.
What Makes Violas So Hip?
Forget what you thought you knew about these little blossoms. These aren't your grandma's garden dwellers (unless she was super cool, then props to her!). Here's why Violas are making a major comeback and earning their time in the spotlight.
They are edible and delicious, their delicate, slightly sweet, and sometimes minty flavor makes them a favorite for garnishing desserts, salads, and cocktails. They add an element of surprise and sophistication to any dish or drink.
They are such a color powerhouse with deep velvety purples and cheerful yellows to serene blues and multi-colored masterpieces. They can brighten any space and are perfect for creating a vibrant color scheme to any garden, flower box, or floral arrangement.
They are tough as nails, compact and versatile. These little delicate looking blooms are surprisingly hardy, and can handle a slight frost, they also self-seed giving a delightful treat year after year. Their smaller size makes them ideal for tight spaces, borders or fillers in containers and they can even be used as a continuous carpet of color at the floor if your flower beds.
In a floral arrangement, their small pop of color can make a huge impact. They can help add intricate detail or a whimsical charm by nestling among larger blooms or artfully scattered. They are great in boutonnieres and corsages adding an elegant and understated contrast.
Did You Know?
There are over 500 species in the genus Viola.
Historically, they are nature's perfume and were crucial for perfume production due to their sweet, delicate fragrance
Some Violas have a compound called ionone, which temporarily desensitizes your nose's scent receptors, so the scent seems to vanish and then return!
They have self-propelled seeds, as their seed pods "explode" to disperse the seeds at great lengths.
Viola leaves and flowers are quite nutritious and are a great source of vitamin A and C as well as anthocyanins and flavonoids.
Not all Violets are Violas, and not all Violas are Pansies.
We hope you enjoyed visiting with the vibrant Viola, and next time you see them playfully popping up, give them a closer look, they might just become your next floral obsession!