Wild Violets (Viola odorata) are easy to propagate or invasive, depending on your perspective. I think they’re charming. These purple gems come back year after year, adding a vintage vibe to the garden. I don’t remember planting violets, but it’s possible I bought one as an annual and they later seeded on their own.
Tiny Violets fill in gaps between plants, giving the garden a filled-in look that I love. A few months ago, a violet flowered in the fairy garden. It’s remarkably to scale.
Next to the patio, we have an elongated ellipse between paving stones. The now-forgotten plants that grew there eventually died, but the violets have slowly filled in. A yellow freesia planted itself there, too, complementing the delicate purple flowers. Purple and yellow are among my favorite color combinations, so a hat tip to nature for planting these two together.
Violets make a terrific backdrop for cat portraits. They’re rugged, too, standing up to feline traffic. All three kitties enjoy lounging near the nepeta, but the Violets are none the worse for wear.
If a kiss could be seen, it would look like a violet.
Lucy Maud Montgomery
I agree!
Gardening Nirvana 
They are lovely little flowers
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I agree!
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Being as I have zero ability to grow things I love the self propagating things. This year pink phlox grew at the edge of our yard. It was lovely. Some would say weedy. I left it and want some more to put around a tree stump in the yard. Its native here in VA so that makes me like it more.
Your garden is beautiful. I love the purple and yellow too.
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Oh Amy, you simply must turn that tree stump into another fairy garden. Imagine what that would look like surrounded by pink phlox. It sounds lovely.
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That sounds like a great idea. The bird bath I got has a little “house” at ground level of the base so it also calls out for additions. I’ll keep you posted. It’s cool here today so I hope to get out but I am making some new scrub caps for my daughter so the yard may have to wait a few more days.
Hope you get rain you want. I’m sure you need it.
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Be still my heart! Oh Amy, you’re going to have so much fun with that fountain and the tiny house.
I love that you’re making scrub caps for your daughter. Does she choose the fabric, or do you like to surprise her?
We desperately need the rain. We’re well below the norms for this time of year. Sigh.
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Little purple gems! I especially love the photos of the kitties lounging in the violets.
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It’s entertaining watching the cats enjoy the nepeta. I cut several branches over the season and share them with a neighbor and her two cats. She in turn shares them with her brother. There are a lot of contented kitties here in San Jose. 🙂
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Oh, nice! How I wish I were your neighbor.
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I would love to have you as a neighbor!
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Love the quote. I don’t think I’ve ever seen violets on offer at the garden center but maybe I’m not looking. I have a lot of Vinca that has purple flowers and it’s quite hardy as well. So much was tromped on by the tree trimmers and they will be back to take the trunk down and do more tromping. I think the Vinca will bloom next month. It’s still cold here. No sweet kitties lying in mine though. 😉
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It’s hard to see your garden trampled, even when necessary and with good intentions. I’m always amazed at what recovers. I have some Vinca growing in a shady part of the garden, but it is a slow grower. I wish you could come to visit the kitties…and the gardener.
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You’ve got a lot of violets, Alys!
They have found their way into my garden as well – been with me maybe a couple of years now. And I agree, they are lovely to see. Long-lasting, as far as I remember as well 😊
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Helen, I’m so happy to hear about your garden violets. I like the idea of the same flower species in different gardens around the world. Cathy above is seeing some in Germany.
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Yes, I was touched by the idea of the same flower species in gardens around the world 😊
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💖
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Very pretty heart
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Nice photos of your cats enjoying them! 😉 I have some in my lawn this year for the first time and have never planted any…. fairy magic perhaps! 😉
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Oh yes! It must be the fairies planting them while you sleep. 🙂 I’m so glad they’ve reached your garden, Cathy.
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How sweet are those kitties of yours. I loved those photos ! I have a nepeta in the garden and bring in a couple of slips when I’ve worked in the yard. It’s a bit amazing how the cats gravitate to that stuff. I doesn’t smell too good to me 😀
I had all colours and sizes of violets that would pop up in the gravel walks at the lake. They really do seed so easily don’t they?
So Mouse doesn’t try to escape the yard anymore? What a guy! I remember seeing him on someone’s roof on one visit , LOL xoK
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Lovely!
Aren’t violets wonderful! I just repotted my indoor African Violets yesterday. Not sure how or if they are connected from the plant perspective, but they do bring happiness.
The kitties look so happy<3
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Our kitties love the garden, especially when we’re present. I remember your African Violets from our fist visit. I inherited a few from a friend’s Bat mitzva several years ago, but I’ve gradually lost them to root rot. I still have one looking good. The outdoor violets thrive though. I’m so grateful for that.
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