The Little Violet That Could

You may remember how excited I was last summer to find a little seedling of a Korean Violet that had disappeared from my garden a few years ago. 

I had carefully dug it from where it had miraculously popped up, several feet from its original location, and planted it in a more protected location. Small rocks were placed around it to remind me that the tiny treasure was there.

At some point, it bloomed, because I saw the open seed pods and was thrilled at the prospect of it doing what most violets do quite well - that of spreading. While common wood violets can be annoying with their proliferation, I don't mind, and I certainly won't mind if this particular species decides to attempt a garden takeover.

I'm happy to say that it made it through the winter, and is now blooming.  I'm going to try to monitor the seed production so that I can collect it and give each seed the best chance possible to germinate.

Korean Violet (Viola koreana 'Sylettas') in bloom on April 25, 2010

On Friday, as Mom and I drove home from the Cincinnati Flower Show, we stopped at Natorp's Garden Store, where I purchased a Toad Lily (Tricyrtis sp.).  Nestled down in the pot was a bonus: Two small Korean Violet seedlings!

Maybe I'll have my own little colony after all!