Violets
By drc726
21 comments
We were asked about violets recently and this prompted me to look up their history.
Violet – Viola odorata grows in light woodland and under hedges in humas rich soil. It is a perrenial which spreads by means of runners it flowers in spring and sometimes in Autumn.
In ancient greece there were flourishing Violet nurseries before the birth of Christ. And it was the symbol of of mighty Athens. In Medievil times it was a widely used foodtype they were cooked with game and beef and as a sweeetmeat and the blooms were used to sweeten before we had sugar,
Violets were also used to mask strong smells by strewning on floors. It was used medicinally to cure drunkenness, melancholia and insomnia to improve the skin and as an aphrodisiac. Violets have since ancient times to the present day been a symbol of purity and innocence.
Now comes the romance! The hey day of the violet was in France when Napoleon met Josephine, she threw a violet posy at the feet of the young officer which he kept and Napoleon sent violets to her on every wedding anniversary despite affairs of state such as battles.
Exiled on Elba he said I shall return in the spring with violets. He did and sent his small son with a posy to the now divorced Josephine which by then were starting to appear in french woods. Exiled to St Helens he asked to visit Josephines grave and the violets he picked there were found in a locket around his neck on his death.
At the end of the 19th centuary the populaity of the Violet was such that in a single region of the Riviera 200 tons of violets were harvested.
In the 1912 post cards illustrating violets sent to sweethearts were a way of life, street hawkers sold them for ladies to carry and Oil of Violets was the top selling perfume. Interest declined with the outbreak of WW1 and has never returned.
22 Oct, 2009
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Comments
violets-- in the language of flowers means faithfulness--- interesting... :-)
22 Oct, 2009
Very interesting. I enjoy reading things like this.
( I just wondered if I ate a few winter pansies for supper would I get a better night's sleep.... lol )
I have 2 books by the late Geoffrey Smith about the history of many plants. It's a fascinating subject.
22 Oct, 2009
i recomend peppermint tea Hywel ;~)
22 Oct, 2009
Thanks. I have some here. I'll take some tonight :o)
22 Oct, 2009
Lovely blog drc...thank you. Remember palma violet sweets? Bit too sickly for me but the scent is violety!
22 Oct, 2009
yes I do Fluff for the smell but not the taste.
22 Oct, 2009
lots of history behind such a small flower, lovely Drc
22 Oct, 2009
Thanks Sanbaz its the smell I like, but not as a perfume.
22 Oct, 2009
yes nice smell but im a estee lauder gal myself lol
22 Oct, 2009
LOl, San, good taste!
Lovely blog, Denise! Really interesting! I loved Parma Violets, but couldnt eat them now!
Hywel, Chamomile teas good for insomnia too, its very calming!
22 Oct, 2009
:o))) lol
22 Oct, 2009
Thanks for more info on violets, also one of my all time favorite flowers, and so many varieties!
23 Oct, 2009
Thanks for a interesting blog, enjoyed reading it.
23 Oct, 2009
Estee Lauder I spend a fortune on it Sanbaz But I dont use it myself. My daughter uses it and I would rather she used a good quality product on her skin so I buy it for her. (it does go a long way).
23 Oct, 2009
Enjoyed the blog drc as I like history and flowers so the 2 combined made it really enjoyable.
The smell of violets always reminds me of old ladies as my Grandma used to use it and eat violet cachouts which were bought in tiny litle tins and used a breath fresheners. Her other favourite perfume was California Poppy
23 Oct, 2009
Yes I remember Pipsqueak, the old ladies smelt very differently compared to today. My Gran used 4711 cologne Gardenia perfume, violet soap, lavender sachets in every drawer and closset.
23 Oct, 2009
My gran wore Youth Dew! I love it too, but my all time fave is No. 5! The one I wear most is a vanilla perfume from Lush!!!!
23 Oct, 2009
My favourite Marie is Shalimar by Guerlain its my birthday in November and I am hoping someone willl notice I have almost finished it?
23 Oct, 2009
That IS nice! I love the 'musky' ones, & adore the givenchy perfumes. Hopefully someone WILL get you some! Drop some heavy hints!!
23 Oct, 2009
LOL
23 Oct, 2009
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History and Gardening that't very interesting ,Great blog enjoyed reading it :~)
22 Oct, 2009