(by 4 people)
Violets used to grow in my grandmother's backyard, under her ferns. I loved going out with her and looking for them. I've always been fond of violets. Maybe because they remind me of her. I also remember that when I was a little girl my Mom bought me a small bottle of violet perfume. I can still remember the smell, and feeling like a "grown-up" because I had that perfume. I don't usually wear perfume anymore, but I still love violets and other flowers in the "viola" family, like pansies and "Johnny Jump-ups." I like growing them in containers and putting them in salads. It's fun to do that every now and then to put some color and playfulness on your plate. I also love "Violet Crumble" candy bars! I used to get them all the time in an Australian pie shop in Santa Barbara.
I hope you enjoy this lens! I will be adding to it for awhile until it's just right! Please leave me any feedback, or other violet links you think should be included here. Thanks!
Down in a green and shady bed,
A modest violet grew;
Its stalk was bent, it hung its head
As if to hide from view.
And yet it was a lovely flower,
Its colour bright and fair;
It might have graced a rosy bower,
Instead of hiding there.
Yet thus it was content to bloom,
In modest tints arrayed;
And there diffused a sweet perfume,
Within the silent shade.
Then let me to the valley go
This pretty flower to see;
That I may also learn to grow
In sweet humility.
-Jane Taylor
New Link List
- American Violet Society
- Lots of violet stuff here!
- how to make violet tea
- and other info...
Violet Ice Cream
* 1 quart cream
* ¾ cup sugar
* Few grains salt
* 1/3 cup Yvette Cordial
* 1 small bunch violets
* Violet coloring
Instructions
1. Mix first four ingredients.
2. Remove stems from violets, and pound violets in a mortar until well macerated, then strain through cheese-cloth.
3. Add extract to first mixture; color, freeze, and mould.
4. Serve garnished with fresh or candied violets; the light purple cultivated violets should be used and the result will be most gratifying.
"Ivette Cordial" is a kind of violet liqueur that used to be made in France. I have done much searching on the 'net, and have discovered that it is very difficult to find a violet liqueur in the states. However I have found two places that you can order it from, and have listed the links below:
http://www.thedrinkshop.com/products/nlpdetail.php?prodid=1814
http://www.sallyclarke.com/sclive/shop/products/Wines.html
Great Stuff on Amazon
Monin Natural Violet Syrup,750 ml
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 12/04/2008) 
India Tree Candied Violets
Amazon Price: $8.39 (as of 12/04/2008)
Flavigny Violet Pastilles - Retro Tin
Amazon Price: $4.50 (as of 12/04/2008)
Violet Crumble
Amazon Price: (as of 12/04/2008)
An Herbalist's Guide to Growing and Using Violets (Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin A. 239): A Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin
There is a limited quantity of these books! Order soon!
Amazon Price: (as of 12/04/2008)
New Guestbook
flowergardener wrote...
Beautiful lens, I love violets too! Welcome to the Flowers, Flowers, and More Flowers Group
Posted December 22, 2007
mulberry wrote...
Wow, I had no idea of all the uses for violets, eating them? Tell me more. I wanted violets to blanket my back yard, I called around to see if I could get seeds (duh) I was scorned repeatedly as they are "weeds"...tell me how to get them growing! Great lens.
Posted December 13, 2007
