Common violets, belonging to the genus Viola, are herbaceous perennials that reliably emerge each spring. These widespread plants are often seen in lawns and garden beds, forming low, spreading patches of heart-shaped leaves and colorful flowers. Their perennial nature ensures a consistent presence in temperate landscapes, guaranteeing a yearly return of their familiar blooms.
The Perennial Mechanism of Return
The survival of the common violet through winter is secured by its robust underground structure, allowing the plant to enter a state of dormancy. While the above-ground foliage may die back with the first hard frost, the plant’s life is preserved within its root system. This network includes thick, horizontally branched rhizomes, which are modified underground stems that function as storage organs.
These rhizomes store the energy reserves created during the previous growing season, providing the necessary fuel for new growth in the spring. This system allows the plant to survive freezing temperatures and emerge quickly when the weather warms. Beyond the root network, violets employ a reproductive strategy known as cleistogamy to ensure their return and spread.
Later in the season, often after the showy spring flowers have faded, violets produce small, closed, cleistogamous flowers. These flowers never open and are self-pollinating, guaranteeing seed production without the need for external pollinators. The resulting seed capsules forcefully eject their seeds, scattering them away from the parent plant and ensuring new plants return in the following years.
Differentiating True Violets and Common Look-Alikes
Confusion often arises because the term “violet” is loosely applied to several different plants, not all of which are true perennials. True violets belong to the genus Viola, including species like the Sweet Violet (Viola odorata) and the Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia). These hardy, long-lived perennials are native to temperate zones and are adapted to overwintering in the ground.
Plants commonly called African Violets (Saintpaulia species), however, are entirely unrelated to true violets and belong to a different plant family. African Violets are tropical plants that are grown exclusively as houseplants in most regions and will not survive a winter outdoors. If planted outside, they will behave as annuals and will not return the following year.
Pansies and Violas are closely related to true violets, all belonging to the genus Viola, but they are often cultivated differently. Pansies (Viola × wittrockiana) and many cultivated Violas are typically grown as cool-season annuals or biennials. While they are technically short-lived perennials in mild climates, gardeners generally treat them as plants that need to be replanted each year, in contrast to the reliably returning true violet species.
Cultivation Tips for Continued Growth
To encourage the vigorous return of true violets, providing the right environment is important. Most species prefer partial shade or dappled sunlight, mimicking their natural woodland habitat. Excessive afternoon sun can cause the foliage to deteriorate during the hottest months.
Violets thrive in moist, well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Adding compost or a layer of organic mulch helps to retain moisture and suppresses competing weeds.
Gardeners should be aware that violets can spread aggressively due to their rhizomes and abundant self-seeding. If the plant becomes too dense or begins to encroach on other garden areas, the clumps can be easily divided in the early spring or fall. Removing the excess plants will help manage their spread, allowing the remaining violets to maintain their vigor year after year.