Last week I highlighted Begonias, not for the faint hearted, today the contrast could not be greater. The Viola Riviniana Purpurea above has been in the garden for some time now. We have no recollection of ever having planted it, just appeared in this most suitable position at the top of the steps in the back garden, we look forward to it flowering every year between late March and May. Riviniana has no similarity to the annual Violas that we see in the garden centres every year, mainly used for Spring bedding. This one is a true perennial.
On some of the milder winters I have found that the leaves remain on the plant up to to a certain extent, not last Winter though, but the growth did start to show in early February. The purple blue flowers are tiny and abundant, also the purple green heart shaped leaves are very attractive, the plant wont blow you away, but it really is very charming. Riviniana Purpurea is at its very best in a woodland setting where it will spread and provide good ground cover.
Special note—previously I had this plant posted under the name of (Viola Odorata) I would like to thank (Carolyn of carolynshadegarden) for information which showed that I was incorrect with this name.
Hardiness – Fully hardy
Position – Full sun/partial shade
Height – 20cm
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A couple of weeks ago on a visit to our daughter Audra in Cheshire we had a day out at Tatton Park. Such a beautiful historic estate in the lovely village of Knutsford. (About Tatton park) It is such an amazing place I thought you may like to see a few of the pictures of the estate. After a great day I realized that we didnt visit the stately home, our seven year old grandson had better ideas.
- Wait for us
Visit the stately manor! I don't think so.
© 2011, Alistair. All rights reserved.
I love to see viola the rabbits love to eat viola so not in my garden any more, I’m with your grandson much better than stately homes, I trust you had a great stay with them, the gardens look nice, Frances
The rabbits can be a nuisance Frances, yes cant wait to see them again.
I purchased several violas this year in hopes of having a groundcover under my camellia. With this drought, they almost died – I am trying to water more to keep them alive. Tatton Park is fabulous! But the look of sheer joy on your grandson’s face is the best of all!
Hope they survive Holley.
That’s my favourite colour – purple blue, such lovely little bloom, aptly named Sweet Viola! Love the garden, everything is so lush and green with such beautiful sceneries! I would want to go on that Merry Go Round too…its been such a long time since I rode one!
Yes p3, my grandson would have stayed on it all day, if he got the choice.
The violas, no doubt, are lovely – but the huge hedge blobs with discs on the top are what caught my eye!
Esther
Yes Esther, those hedges in Tatton park are amazing.
This beautiful viola is a native for me and it loves to move about the garden. I love the dark leaves and stunning purple/blue of the flower…as for the garden visit, I would have jumped right on the carousel too
Donna, some folks think this viola seeds itself too readily. (just rescued this comment also.)
Those violas are great! so funny, just last week I was looking into sweet violas because of the chances of having some butterflies that feed on them
Hi Fer, increasing the pollinators in the garden sounds good to me.
Tatton Park looks fab, looks like weather was good too. That viola is sweet.
It is a great park Bridget, rain held off, only just.
Alistair, Fabulous virtual visit to the Tatton Park garden. I wish we had old estates with great gardens all over in the US. Carolyn
Carolyn, perhaps not as old but I have seen posts with some really beautiful parks and gardens in the US.
Viola is such a lovely foliage plant. It looks great in your garden. Thank you for the wonderful picture of the estate you visited – I was amazed by the sculpted shrubbery!
Tatton park is very special Masha.
The park is a really nice place it looks like. Those hedges are pretty amazing. It almost looks like something from the Disneyland gardens.
The hedges are very special Donna.
Oh my goodness, I love the pictures of Tatton Park. I especially love the 2nd one. Gorgeous!
I loved the photos of Tatton Park. I think I like it best when garden bloggers show me the gardens they’ve seen. I’m not a fan of Viola odorata. It has tried to take over my garden. I’m bent on eradication.
Thanks for the visit Jordan, A weed is a plant which one does not want, on the other hand, give em to me.
Alistair, don’t feel badly. Here in the eastern US, the riviniana is almost always mislabeled as Labrador violet, Viola labradorica purpurea by nurseries where I live. So confusion reigns!
As for Tatten Park, I want to see it up close and personal! Your virtual tour was sensational, so much so I hope to see it in person one day. Thanks!
Thanks Cathy, and glad you liked my pictures of Tatton park.
That viola is quite different from the usual violet. Thanks for giving me the name. love the garden, very special, as is your cute grandson.
Hi Alistair,
The shot of your grandson on the merry-go-round is a perfect shot. I think most kids would opt for a ride on a fantastic horse over a stroll through a ‘boring’ garden. Sometimes it takes age to appreciate the more subtle attractions of a garden.
Tatton Park looks like a lovely place to visit. I like the bridge in the distance of one of your photos and the wildly clipped hedge.
Over here in Canada, the violet you open with has the common name “Labrador violet”. I am not sure the background on this common name, but it seems to suggest that this violet is readily found in the harsh climate of Labrador.