Comments on: Oh, beloved Violette de Parma, though shalt never return

By: Unknown

Unknown — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 11:53:28 +0000

You can buy Viola odorata 'Parme de Toulouse' here in Holland at:
hessenhof.nl/al/v069.html
I would like to have one myself so will go there and see if the have any available. If you want I can buy you one and ship perhaps? Just let me know.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 07:30:49 +0000

Hi everyone, I have just been given 3 palma violet plants. I have the "commom" violet, also our Australian native violet(cute) How close should I plant thease palmas together? I live in central Victoria , Australia. thank you, A C

By: oldfashgirl

oldfashgirl — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 00:33:02 +0000

The aroma of blooming violets planted enmass is absolutely magnificent! Unfortunately named varieties for sale are difficult to come by. Personaly, I am besotted with all things violet, drinks ( there are alcoholic receipts), candy, violet flavored fondant fillings enrobed in chocolate, as well as the hues and motifs. One really good source was Canyon Creek Nursery in California which sold plants mail order, however the owner now only sells locally. There is a company in the U.K. called Groves that sells seeds of many cultivars. If anyone knows of someone that sells plants of different varieties in the U.S I'd love the information.

By: colette

colette — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:35:04 +0000

I found scented violets for sale at a farmers market in Waimea, Hawaii last weekend. Wow, was I surprised! They smell just like those old violet candies we used to see at the grocery. I am searching now for other ones

By: Leslie Nicole

Leslie Nicole — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:45:09 +0000

Thanks for this post. I was researching violets because I collect French vintage postcards and a lot of them have violets. I was curious as to which holiday they signified.

I think they were also sent as general cards for friendship. I have one card who's postmark is September 15, 1905. My French husband says it was probably for a Saint's Day – like his, St. Michel-Sept. 29.

In a French site, I found on the Language of Flowers, the Violette de Parme signified "Let me Love you". A double Violet is "I share your love (or friendship.)

Thanks also for solving the mystery of why the violets growing in my backyard have no scent!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 21:55:25 +0000

Any luck on finding the Parma Violets in England or France? Does anyone know if seeds can be purchased from a an English or French grower and shipped? Please,please! I'm becoming obsessed!

By: hopflower

hopflower — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 21:08:40 +0000

There are violet farms in England as well. Still grown there, as well as in France.

By: Matt Mattus

Matt Mattus — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 07:39:16 +0000

You are not imagining it, White Flower Farm did carry Viola odorata in the 1990's, but I am not sure if they carried the true Parma named varieties. It would not be surprising. I should go look in our attic and see if I can find some of the early catalogs from the 1960's when my parents used to order from there.

Of note ( you probably know this) but there is no real Amos Pettingil, he was a fictional character made up by the original owners. Here is the story from the NY Times: "Mr. Wadsworth, a former Wall Street broker, assumed the voice of Amos when he bought White Flower Farm in 1976; it had belonged to two New York writers, William Harris and Jane Grant, who had started the nursery in 1950."

By: Denise

Denise — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 23:28:54 +0000

Am I imagining that Amos Pettingill of WFF was selling parma violets in the early catalogues? (I'm old too!)

By: Terryk

Terryk — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 09:07:53 +0000

Many years ago I bought two boxed handkerchiefs embroidered with violets for my daughters. This year my daughter used hers on her wedding day. Sprout you could have used an old cut glass salt shaker so if you see them, try that as a vase. I have used them for lily of the valley and cyclamen blooms along with the wild violets from.the lawn.