VIOLETS AND PRIMROSES
While roses may be the most sought-after flower in high winter, violets and primroses are the definitive flowers for February and make the cold season special. When we think of violas, we probably think of the turn of phrase “shrinking violet”; although their purple petals may be nestled—and sometimes hidden—amidst a bounty of emerald foliage, these blossoms are not to be ignored. Did you know that violets are edible and full of Vitamin C? They make the most romantic and charming candies, teas, and syrups.
“Despite the name, violets actually come in a variety of different colours. While the purple and blue violets tend to steal the spotlight, you’ll also find that the February birthday flower of the month comes in yellow, white, and orange, and many of them have a second color in the middle. What unites all of these flowers is the family: All violet species are from the family Violaceae.” While the ever-popular African violet is not really a violet at all, it does make a wonderful potted plant and an attractive addition to any windowsill during the winter months. Pansies are a type of violet, too, and bloom beautifully in colder months—indoors or out. It’s the wild violet, though, that has truly captured our hearts with her romance and modesty. Ubiquitous in Victorian times, women would either carry a small bouquet or “tussy mussy” made of violets or have one pinned to her belt as a fashion accessory. These were symbols of class, and ladies usually carried them, while flower girls (like Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady”) would sell them for a few bobs each.
“Violets can be found all over the United States, and a few species can be found in Europe. They bloom from spring to early summer in well-saturated or freely draining soil, but in the right conditions, they can last into early fall. They spread almost invasively, but they only last for the season of their blooming.” This is what makes violets so special! They spread in the wild, turning a wood or glade into an enchanted land laced with tiny deep purple blooms and heart-shaped leaves. If one wants to add wild violets to their garden, this is relatively easy. Simply transplant the roots to an area that’s moist and shady and then watch out for predators—like bunny rabbits—that consume part of the plant.
In the Language of Flowers, the violet symbolizes humility but is so heady and sweet in fragrance was once associated with Aphrodite in ancient Greece. Primroses are just as sweet and are steeped in British folklore. When Shakespeare wrote of the bucolic countryside, he would mention primroses in his verse so people would immediately know the setting. They are so linked with pastoral backgrounds and woods in springtime (as one of the first spring bloomers) that they have been the subject of 19th-century paintings where young maidens can be seen collecting them in baskets from a woodland, and, when they were brought over from England to other countries, immigrants were delighted to see something of their homeland. While there are many types of primroses, the most recognizable and classically beloved flower for gardens is the “common primrose” or primula vulgaris. With a whorl of five pale yellow petals, these thrive without direct sunlight and give off a subtly sweet perfume.
Primroses generally grow in clumps but can be separated when planted in a garden as perennials. Primula meadia (also known as “shooting star”) is known for its purple petals and blooms on the East Coast of the United States. It has been used in homeopathy as a sedative when indigenous peoples hung the flowers on baby baskets to induce sleep. Evening primrose is a botanical widely used in skincare and women’s wellness; the oil can be used as a dietary supplement and is known to reduce inflammation for conditions such as eczema and even rheumatoid arthritis.
For more on your favourite flowers—and to create your own bespoke floral arrangement—consult Chelsea Flowers at the website and on the blog:
https://www.friendsofdalnavert.ca/everything-in-its-place/tussy-mussy