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How to Grow Sweet Violet 'Governor Herrick'

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Sweet Violet 'Governor Herrick'

Viola odorata 'Governor Herrick'

flower

A charming variety of sweet violet featuring deep purple-blue flowers with a distinctive sweet fragrance. This low-growing perennial groundcover produces delicate blooms in early spring and creates an elegant carpet of heart-shaped foliage in shaded garden areas. The flowers are traditionally used for fragrance, decoration, and culinary purposes.

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Example Sweet Violet 'Governor Herrick' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Sweet Violet 'Governor Herrick'

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Sweet Violet 'Governor Herrick' blooms

    Mid-to-late summer

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Sweet Violet 'Governor Herrick' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Partial shade to dappled sunlight, 3-4 hours of indirect light daily; tolerates full shade but blooms better with some light
💧
Water: Consistently moist but not waterlogged; water regularly during growing season, reduce in winter; prefers humidity and cool, moist conditions
📏
Spacing: 6-12 inches
📅
Days to maturity: Not applicable; established plants flower in spring of second year
🌱
Planting depth: Transplants set at soil level; seeds surface-sown or lightly pressed into soil

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
compost peat moss leaf mold perlite for drainage

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 4-9, preferring cooler climates with moderate moisture

4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

3-4 weeks

Tiny seedlings emerge with cotyledons and first true leaves appearing within 2-3 weeks of stratification

Keep soil consistently moist, provide cool conditions (60-65°F), maintain high humidity, and avoid direct sun

2

Vegetative Growth

4-6 months

Plant develops heart-shaped leaves and a compact mounding form; foliage is lush and green

Allow adequate spacing to prevent fungal issues, maintain consistent moisture, deadhead any early flowers to encourage foliage development

3

Dormancy/Winter Rest

3-4 months

Plant goes semi-dormant in winter; foliage may become sparse or die back partially; root system remains active underground

Reduce watering but do not allow soil to dry completely, provide mulch protection in colder zones, ensure good drainage to prevent root rot

4

Flowering

6-8 weeks

Deep purple-blue flowers emerge in early spring (February-April depending on location) with visible stamens and sweet fragrance

Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continued flowering, provide consistent moisture, ensure adequate light reaches flower buds

5

Seed Development (Optional)

4-6 weeks

If flowers are not deadheaded, plant produces small seed pods; violas are prolific self-seeders

Allow some flowers to mature if you want volunteers; collect seed pods once they turn brown and papery for storage

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Hellebores Snowdrops Pulmonaria Ajuga Lamium Ferns Hostas Bleeding Heart Primrose

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Highly aggressive spreading plants that will crowd it out Areas with poor drainage leading to standing water

Common Pests

  • Spray with strong water stream, use insecticidal soap, introduce ladybugs, ensure adequate spacing for air circulation

  • Increase humidity, spray foliage with water, use miticide if severe, ensure plants not stressed by heat or drought

  • Improve air circulation, reduce humidity slightly, apply sulfur dust or neem oil, remove affected leaves

  • and

    Handpick in early morning, use beer traps, copper barriers, encourage natural predators like ground beetles

  • Remove infected leaves immediately, improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, apply fungicide if widespread

Uses

🍳

Candied flowers and edible decoration

Culinary

Sweet violet flowers are traditionally candied with egg white and sugar to decorate cakes and desserts. The petals and flowers are edible and add delicate flavor and visual appeal to salads, teas, and gourmet dishes. [source]

💊

Herbal tea and respiratory support

Medicinal

Sweet violet flowers and leaves have been used in traditional herbal medicine to make soothing teas for cough, sore throat, and respiratory wellness. The plant contains compounds that may help ease congestion and inflammation. [source]

🏠

Natural fragrance and perfumery

Household

Sweet violets are prized for their distinctive, delicate fragrance used in perfumes, colognes, and floral water. The scent has been highly valued in perfumery for centuries and is a key ingredient in many classic fragrances. [source]

🎨

Pressed flowers and floral arrangements

Craft

The delicate flowers press beautifully for botanical art, greeting cards, bookmarks, and framed displays. Fresh blooms also make charming small bouquets and are traditionally used in wedding bouquets and corsages. [source]

🦋

Early spring pollinator food

Wildlife

Sweet violet is an important early-season nectar and pollen source for bees, butterflies, and other early pollinators emerging from winter dormancy. The plant also provides host plant material for fritillary butterfly caterpillars. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Flowers are ready to harvest once fully open, typically in early spring. Cut blooms in the morning when fragrance is strongest using clean scissors, leaving a short stem with foliage. Flowers last 3-5 days in water. For culinary use (candying, infusions), harvest unsprayed flowers. Plants will produce runners and self-sown seeds; divide plants in spring for propagation.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Sweet violets contain a compound called ionone that temporarily desensitizes the smell receptors in your nose, which is why the fragrance seems to disappear after smelling it for a few minutes—but it returns if you take a break.
  • 🌱 'Governor Herrick' is a heritage variety named after William Herrick, a 19th-century violet enthusiast, and was particularly popular during the Victorian era when pressed violets and violet perfume were fashionable luxury items.
  • 🌱 Viola odorata is the national flower of Greece and symbolizes modesty and faithfulness; ancient Greeks used violets in wine, perfume, and medicine, and they appear in Homer's works dating back nearly 3,000 years.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Deadhead Mulch Partial Shade Perennial Runner True Leaves
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