Growing Black Violets?

Question:

Does anyone else grow these beautiful black violets?

Hardiness Zone: 7b

Christine from Sanremo, Italyhttp://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83922413.tip.html

Answer

Christine,

These are one of several types of black pansy cultivars. I love them! They really turn heads and make an interesting addition to any flower garden. Just like other pansies, the petals are edible and make a wonderful garnish when cooking (especially desserts and salads) In British folklore black pansies are thought to be magical. It's said that picking them on sunny days will cause stormy weather and picking them while they have dew on their petals will cause the death of a loved one. While I don't subscribe to British folklore, I do think that planting them with orange-colored marigolds, mums or pansies would create great fall planters-especially for Halloween.

Incidentally, for those who are interested, there is often a lot of confusion surrounding the differences between violets and pansies. Both are in the Viola genus (along with violas). Pansies were hybridized in Europe in the 19th century. Like violets, they are low growing, but their flowers are usually much larger with 5 velvety petals that overlap each other perfectly. Unlike violets, pansies come in all colors except green.

Ellen