Violets

My auntie was named after this pretty spring flower. Apparently violets are known for their fragrance and medicinal properties, and were valued as a cut flower in Edwardian and Victorian times. Dorset, Devon and Cornwall were centres of sweet violet growing and the remains of the walled flower fields can still be seen today.

My abiding memory associated with violets is as a young child buying a small bottle of Devon violets perfume and spilling it all over the car seat. Our car smelled of Devon Violets for months!