Viola tricolor
Heartsease
Like vervain, this magick herb is
often incorporated into Midsummer celebrations. It has many
associations with the heart: it is traditionally used in love charms,
an infusion of the herb was said to mend a broken heart, and the
flowers were once a remedy for heart disease. For many of us, though, the name
refers to how we feel when finding one of these cheerful little
guys. Just seeing them eases the heart. In terms of
how this herb works--on the heart and skin--this is a Sun plant, but in terms of
its use in love and its small but lush beauty, it is all Venus, which is
reflected in many of its common names: Love-in-idleness, Cuddle me,
Call-me-to-you, Jack-jump-up-and-kiss-me, Meet-me-in-the-entry, and
Kiss-her-in-the-buttery. This annual was a staple in medieval gardens.
It likes to grow with cultivated plants and blooms spring through fall.
Sprinkle it between other larger plants or grow it alone in a pot. Top
How
to grow Heartsease. Plant in spring (or in fall in a cold frame).
Barely cover the seed. It will germinate in 10-14
days at 65-75F. Too much sun kills the seedlings. 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.
Picking off dead flowers to get more, or leave them on to get
seeds. Mature plants are 6-10 inches high. This
plant self-seeds easily and grows well in pots. General
growing
info
Top
Viola
tricolor
Heartsease
100 seeds $3.75
Uses in Witchcraft & Magic:
Venus Herb
Love Magic
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