Yellow Violet - April Calendar Flower

Yellow Violet, Viola pubescens

It is probable that George took this little Violet’s portrait in Massachusetts in the spring of 1983. Such a sweet flower!

While Violets are a common wildflower, I feel they evoke an emotional chord in us. As children we all learned, “Roses are red, Violets are blue……”. Violets are lifted up in poems and verse, illustrated on cards, wallpaper, fabric, and china. They are an “old-fashioned” flower.

Violets have often symbolized faithfulness as this 14th century song illustrates:

“Violet is for faithfulness, Which in me shall abide

Hoping likewise that from your heart, You will not let it slide”

Shakespeare’s, Ophelia says of Violets, they had “wither’d all when my father died” .

Violets in my backyard. I have a carpet of Violets in my backyard lawn, as I don’t put any week killer on the grass. I want the bees to get all the food they can from my violets and dandelions!

And I can make use of my backyard violets! Not only can you use them in a salad for pretty garnish, they can be “candied” for cake decorations, and my favorite - Violet Flower Simple Syrup! This is delicious - and pretty - in a cocktail!! Here’s a recipe Feasting at Home

Violet Flower Simple Syrup - Try it!