THE HERALD OF SPRING

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 210, 18 August 1933, Page 13

THE HERALD OF SPRING

VIOLETS (Viola Orarata). Of all flowers perhaps the most loved is the fragrant violet because it comes in after a very lean period when flowers are scarce. Violets are generally considered easy to grow which in one sense is correct but they are not always flowered to perfection. November is recognised as the best month for transplanting violets but the amateur gardener does not think until he sees them in bloom and so violet planting takes place most of the year round. They can be grown in almost any soil and situation but the best results are obtained on well-worked rich soil that gets the sun during the winter months. If this situation is found, violets will bloom through autumn, winter and spring. To obtain large flowers in the winter it is advisable to plant healthy, young runners every year. Old plants will never produce first-rate blooms no matter how well they are cultivated. In many gardens violets may be seen growing thickly along borders or round flower beds and the remark is often made: ‘‘My word what a few flowers and what short stems.” This is only natural as the violet gets overcrowded and cannot flower its best. Young rooted runners should be cut from the parent plant and bedded out everv season. A very attractive double variety is Marie Louise, a French mauve colour, and Swanley, a double white species but a shy flowerer.