There’s something funny going on with our violets. Back in 2002 we planted them here and there. ‘Here’ being the Dubbo Regional Botanic Garden, Elizabeth Park, while ‘there’ was right in front as you walk up the entry path.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A great big conglomerate display it was. All rotund leaves subtended by wispy little flower stalks bearing Blue Danube blooms.
I exaggerate, except for the bit about the round leaves and purple flowers.
I was never suspicious by nature, until I started working in Public Gardens back in 1984.
Since then I’ve managed to cope with disappearing sprinkler spray tops, hose fittings, the odd hose, not to mention flowering annuals in boxes down Macquarie Street.
One time in Sydney the culprits took off with my tractor.
I’d carelessly left the ignition keys on board.
However the most annoying has been the decimation in numbers of perennial Sweet Violets (Viola odorata) at the entrance to Shoyoen (our Japanese Garden). I felt a bit ridiculous installing a metal Botanic Garden name tag.
You see, there are hardly any plants in position at all.
An insidious decade-long subterfuge.
Do you think someone is sneaking past now and then to snaffle-up a clump or two, ripped out, with tender rootlets dangling as the villain grasps and squashes the delicate Sweet Violets? “Complots of mischief, Ruthful to hear.” (Shakespeare – clever fellow.)
Curiously these same violets are popping everywhere from seed. There is a happy collection in part-shade adjoining the Rose Garden.
Some Viola species are perennial plants, some are annual plants, and a few are small shrubs. A large number of species, varieties and cultivars are grown in gardens for their ornamental flowers.
In horticulture the term "pansy" is normally used for those multi-coloured, large-flowered cultivars which are raised annually or biennially from seed and used extensively in bedding. The terms "viola" and "violet" are normally reserved for small-flowered annuals or perennials, including the species
Another group is teasing the breeze at the Tea garden in the white pebbles, no less bizarre!
Turns out there has been no shabby, underhand misbehaviour. Garden specialist Allan Seale from early renown, once pronounced Violets need replacing every two or three years as they lose vigour.
As simple as that.
Of course they pop up all over the shop anywhere they please, thank you very much. Anywhere that is, except for that position behind their name tag.
