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New Violets

This is a list of violet developments that have occurred over the last twenty years in the United Kingdom, other areas of Europe, Australia and the USA has been compiled by Peter Robinson and Norma Beredijklian. As new information reaches us, we will add to it.


Cordelia
Introduced by Dorothy Kimberley in 1984. A sweedling from 'Coeur d'Alsace.' With white flowers and the palest pink blush to the petals. It has a mushroom shaped pink spur. The blooms are highly scented and carried on good size stems. Its habit is very much like the parent.

Cottle Stripe
Discovered growing in an orchard near Truro (Cornwall) UK and introduced by Jennifer Bousefield. It's a true 'odorata' type with palest mauve flowers streaked and thinly speckled in a darker mauve. It is quite a large flower, faintly scented and possessing a pinkish-purple spur. The stems are of a fair size, holding the bloom above the foliage.

Crepuscule
A new violet from Australia. Perhaps a hybrid between a V. odorata and V. sulphurea. A vigorous grower with medium sized flowers on long stems, which are apricot in color with a touch of pink as they face.

Elizabeth Lee
One of the violets re-discovered by Jean Burrows on the site of George Lee's old nursery at Clevedon. Large violet flowers which have distinctive white bases to the petals, the flowers are long stemmed and very vigorous. A violet for mid-season blooms.

Feline
A unique and very interesting Parma violet found on the nursery of Mme. Nathalie Casbas, near Toulouse, France. Its uniqueness derives from the fact that it is a single parma violet, with lovely lavender pink flowers which have a white throat. The top two petals are held vertically upright and are surrounded by the typical lush green, parma foliage. The name for this parma was inspired by the cat using the flower bed as a toilet.

Florence Lee
Medium sized royal-purple flowers. The upper two petals are long and the blooms are held on medium sized stems, above the small leaved foliage. Late flowering, low growing and compact. One of the violets found on the site of Lee's old nursery.

Frances Lee
Very large flowers that are streaked with mauve, borne on medium sized stems. This is a mid-season violet with medium sized foliage.

George Lee
Another large violet from Jean Burrows. Rediscovered on Lee's old nursery. Reddish-purple flowers that have white bee-lines. Long stemmed and large leaved. A mid-season violet that has a very vigorous habit.

Lady Jane
Discovered as a seedling on the Windward Violet Nursery by Jean Arnot and given to Dorothy Kimberly to name in 1983. Mrs. Kimberley named this violet in honor of her mother who had recently passed away. The name comes from Dorothy's grandfather who affectionately referred to his daughter as his "lady Jane." Deep, rich purple flowers with a reddish sheen, carried on long stems. It's free flowering and a good, strong grower. Scented.

Lee's Ivory
Another of the re-discovered violets from George Lee's old nursery with creamy, white flowers.

LeGresley
This is a mystery violet as to its real origins. It was found in Mr. Balfour LeGresley's garden in Toronto, Canada. It is believed his ancestors had taken it to Canada around 1835. It was introduced in the United Kingdom in the spring of 1997 and shown at the RHS Show (Vincent Square, London) at the request of the Floral A Committee where it created much interest. It has been successfully cultivated by Mr. Clive Groves (C.W. Groves & Son, Bridport, Dorset, UK). Mr Groves describes it as "compact growing, with rounded leaves and steel-blue blooms looking shyly at the ground. " Other characteristics: scented and an early bloomer.

Mrs. Reid's French Violet
Introduced by Jennifer Bousefield, who obtained it from Moyra Reid, a famous gardening authority of the 1950s and 60s and who had discovered it growing in France. It is, reputedly, another form of V. odorata 'Rubra'.

Noni
Another violet named in honor of Dorothy Kimberley's mother, who did not like the grandchildren calling her Grandmother. She preferred "Noni" instead. 

A seedling found in Mrs. Kimbeley's garden in 1979. The flowers open as a rich purple and later fade into blue as the season advances. It is very floriferous and Mrs. Kimberley says that the leaves exude a nice perfume after the rain.

Reid's Crimson Carpet
Raised by John Whittlesey at his Canyon Creek Nursery in Oroville, California. The seedling was named after his son, Reid. It makes an excellent, compact carpet of tidy, deep green foliage that grows to 2"-4" high. In spring, this mat is covered with brilliant crimson flowers, which are nicely scented.
AVS Note: this violet is a candidate for the AVS Violet of the Year.

Royal Elk
Re-introduced by Canyon Creek Nursery (CA) and another one of the Pawla violets. This has large, velvety purple flowers on long stems. The plants are robust, sending out long runners and making a dense carpet. The flowers are lightly scented. The late mother/daughter team of Edith and Emily Pawla did much work in hybridizing and promoting violets in the U.S. from the 1940s into the 60s. They were two remarkable women who introduced a number of violets.

Tanith
Another introduction from Jennifer Bousefield. It has white flowers with a slight pinkish blush and a light pink spur. Recently introduced though as yet of unknown garden worthiness, however, all indications are that it could be a first class violet.

Wren's Pink
Another seedling showing up at Canyon Creek Nursery (California). This odorata selection stood out because of its delicate scented flowers and luscious shade of pink. Named after the Whittleseys' daughter Elicia Wren, with her endorsement.

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