Violets By Our Door
Near our front door, in a crack between the foundation and the front step, a violet plant lives. Every spring, it is the first to bloom as it is in a protected warm spot on the south side of the house. In a world of brown it explodes in a celebration of green, white and purple, demanding our attention and insisting we acknowledge spring is on its way.
Its scientific name is Viola Sororia, but it is more commonly known as Common Blue Violet. It is native to eastern North America. Both its leaves and flowers are edible, the leaves being high in both vitamin A and C. Native Americans used it to treat colds and headaches, and early settlers used the flowers to make jelly.
We don’t eat them, but we so enjoy seeing our little spring herald.
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How perfectly lovely, dainty and what a sweet treat!
Hi Glenda,
How does your garden grow? Any daffodils to report?
AW…reminds me of my dog. Her name is Violet. So pretty!
Hi Julie, what a pretty name for a dog. 🙂
Woohoo girl, they are just knock~out beautiful. This Ozark Farm Chick read they are truly delicious in a green salad!
I just hopped over from PW’s place and am so happy I did. I’ve had fun pokin’ around in here. Don’t worry, I didn’t mess up a thing. I’m obsessive that way…just the way I fly.
From the happy hills and hollers of the Missouri Ponderosa, ya’ll have a most wonderfully blessed day!!! :o)
Violet is reminding you that there is life out there despite the crazy cold weather.
That she is, and she’s very good at it too Gardener.
Okay, just how do you make jelly out of flowers? I have seen flowers in salad and on desserts but jelly? I wonder if it would be purfumie. But I do love that pretty little flower growing there. Welcome Spring, Suzanne!
I was curious about that too Tina. So I looked it up and here it is: http://www.ehow.com/how_2245020_make-violet-jam.html Looks like you grind up the flowers, add lemon juice and sugar, and pectin and it turns into jelly.
Now that is a special treat! I can’t believe how early they bloom. I’m growing weary of everything being brown and dead here in SW PA. Thanks for sharing this little ray of sunshine on a cold day!
You’re quite welcome Bonnie. The daffodils here are ready to pop and I can’t wait.
How beautiful! They remind me a little of “Johnny Jump Ups”, but they bloom later in the spring and are much tinier.
Violets are related to Johnny Jump ups and to pansies too Dianna.
Beautiful. Luv the blue color.
In my old house my small front yard was completely covered in violets. They were so beautiful, and I didn’t have to mow!
That sounds so lovely. You must miss that this time of year Sonya.
And beautifully photographed by you. 🙂
Thank you Justina!
Oh boy, I can hardly wait to see mine pop out here and there thru out the yard. So so pretty but, we just got rid of the snow here and no crocus yet. And I’m knockin’ on wood when I say got rid of the snow!
Suzanne,Yes, some daffodils are blooming out in the yard. I’ve dug a nice trench around the daylily and iris beds to keep the weeds and grass at bay. One bed of iris is coming out later to make room for MORE DAYLILIES!
Haven’t gotten to the outlying beds as yet. Roses are leafing out though.
The daffodils you gave me are all up again. They are so healthy looking too. Thanks again Glenda.
Suzanne,do you sell prints? The flower photography of really touches my soul. There are several that I would like to purchase.
Thanks Janet
Hi Janet,
Been working on setting up a Prints for Sale section for this site, but haven’t gotten to it just yet. Am humbled that you would like some. Just let me know which ones and what size, and I will get back to you with prices. Thanks Janet.
Beautiful!