native violet

This is Viola hederacea and while native to the (usually cooler) south eastern Australian states, it does surprisingly well over here in the west.

In my garden they are planted in pots, kept cool and damp in the shade and thrive in shady spots were lawn refuses to grow.
I was surprised to read they can become pests!!...how could anything so small, pretty and delicate become an invasive nuisance!..but not so here at the moment.

Have also discovered that the flowers are star ingredients in the kitchen too.
What with jellies, drops, conserves, crystallised and in biscotti, invasive nuisance would be a given.
The recipes involve kilos of flowers!