Violet
Viola odorata
Family: Violaceae · Also called Sweet Violet, English Violet, Garden Violet, Viola martia subsp. odorata, Viola martii, Viola hirta var. odorata
Powdery & Soft · Spring bloomer
The violet is a flower of quiet power. Small and unassuming, it grows close to the ground in woodland shade, yet its fragrance is one of the most sought-after in perfumery. The scent contains ionone, a compound that temporarily numbs the nose, making each breath of violet a fresh discovery.
faithfulness, humility, modesty
In the Victorian language of flowers, violet means “Faithfulness and humility”. Napoleon adopted the violet as his personal emblem. After his exile to Elba, supporters wore violets as a secret symbol of loyalty. In Athens, violets were the city flower, and vendors sold them on every corner.
Did You Know?
Violet's scent literally disappears and reappears as you smell it. The ionone in violet temporarily desensitizes your smell receptors, so each sniff feels like the first.
Woodland edges, hedgerows, and shaded garden borders in temperate regions
Violet is native to Europe, Asia. It naturally grows in woodland edges, hedgerows, and shaded garden borders in temperate regions.
Scent Profile
“A powdery, sweet floral with green undertones, delicate and fleeting, it seems to disappear the moment you try to capture it.”
Quick Reference
- Scientific NameViola odorata
- FamilyViolaceae
- Native ToEurope, Asia
- Bloom SeasonSpring
- LifespanPerennial
- Birth MonthFebruary
Cultural Significance
Napoleon adopted the violet as his personal emblem. After his exile to Elba, supporters wore violets as a secret symbol of loyalty. In Athens, violets were the city flower, and vendors sold them on every corner.