Viola philippica Seeds | Philippine Violet
LATIN NAME: Viola philippica
COMMON NAME: Philippine Violet
Plant Profile
Philippine Violet (Viola philippica) grows as a perennial in the violet family. The Philippine violet is small, purple face of cool bed, and fine, spurred flowers open above rounded leaves. Plant is a fine, generous presence of ground cover, and it is a plant of open, sunny to partly shaded, moist, well-drained ground. The blooms are worked steadily by bees for as long as they are open. All of this makes Philippine Violet a satisfying plant to grow and to get to know.
Science & Biotechnology
Botanists studying the violet family regularly include Viola philippica in comparative work, and the species also appears in horticultural trials aimed at gardeners and growers. Breeders and collectors still work with it, so well-kept seed remains available.
Uses & Benefits
Gardeners value Philippine Violet for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. The Philippine violet is a fine, quiet plant of shaded bed and cool garden. Give young plants a cool, shaded corner through hot part of the day. Thereafter it wants only the ordinary attentions any garden plant receives.
Violets and pansies are edible-flower staples and a gentle folk remedy: violet leaf and flower syrups are traditional European comforts for coughs and children’s skin; the heartsease, San Se Jin, also enters Chinese herbals.
Growing from Seed
Seed is the natural starting point for Philippine Violet, and the process is uncomplicated. Sow on the surface of a gritty, well-drained mix, cover lightly with fine compost, and maintain gentle, even moisture in a sunny position. Transplant the sturdiest seedlings to their permanent spots and let them develop without disturbance.
Our Take
Once established, Philippine Violet largely looks after itself. Once the young plants are away, there is little left to do but watch them grow.
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