Viola cornuta
Black Viola
The unusual velvet black color of
this flower is suited to its symbolism; violets and violas are connected to death
and resurrection through the myth of Attis, an ancient Turkish god of vegetation.
They
grew where his blood spilled, and in his worship, pine trees, his symbol,
were dressed with this flower. Violets are also associated with the always dying
and resurrected goddess Persephone; she was gathering this flower and lilies when
Hades first saw her. English fairytales include a retelling
of this story. This magick herb is
often a symbol of death in folklore, especially if it occurs at a young
age. In Greek mythology, these flowers were the tears wept by
a nymph who had been turned into a white crow--the blossoms then became
her food. Violets represent faithfulness in the language of flowers. Because
they are frequently hidden, they make a good symbol for the mysterious or
for secret knowledge. These blooms look delicate, but they can be very tough
plants, as anyone who has ever tried to remove them from a lawn finds out.
This combination of delicate beauty and toughness seems very Venus. However,
because all violas like to grow in shade, are associated with death, and
this particular viola is black, it makes a wonderful Pluto
herb. Unlike
most other members of the violet family, this one is fragrant, and it blooms throughout the summer.
The flowers are about the size of violets and look best when planted
in a group - nice in a container. (Other black
flowers). Top
How to grow it. Barely cover the seed
or just press into moist soil (keep moist but not wet) to germinate in 7-10
days at 65-75F/16-18C. Transplant to partial shade. This plant likes the cool weather of spring best and needs shade
and moisture in the heat of summer; a place with afternoon shade and rich
soil is good. Ensure more flowers by picking off dead ones, or leave
them on to get seeds. This plant also increases by creeping. Mature plants are small
- 6 in/15
cm high - and flowers are wonderfully small and quite black. This
viola is perennial in zones 4-9 and grows well in pots or in
woodlands. General growing
info
Top
King
Frost felt lonely in his huge ice palace where everything was frozen and lifeless.
He thereupon sent his courtiers out to look for a lovely girl to melt
his heart and bring him happiness. The courtiers found many beautiful
women, but they, too, were cold and icy in their appearance and demeanor. The
search continued until a very shy maiden named Violet was found and presented
to the king. He immediately came under the spell of her charm and sweetness
and fell deeply in love with her. Although once a strict and passionless
monarch, he slowly became gentle and warmhearted and vowed to his people that
the harsh and endless winters of his realm would become milder for one half
of each year. Such was the tender effect that Violet had upon her lord
and husband. But Violet pleaded with the king to allow her to see her
people again. Because of his love for her, he granted her wish to visit
them each spring. His only condition was that she could only return to
them in the form of a flower for part of the year, coming back to her husband's
icy realm each winter. Top
Viola cornuta
Sawyer's Black Viola
25 seeds
$4.50
Death & Resurrection
Honoring
Attis & Persephone
Pluto Herb
© 2006, 2013 Harold A. Roth; No reproduction without permission