Violets are best grown in the dappled shade of deciduous trees thus allowing full winter and spring sunshine.
Dig in well-decayed manure or compost. Blood, bone, fish manure or a general fertilizer are all excellent for fine violets. If the ground is heavy, dig peat or leaf mould into bed.
It is wise when plants arrive by post from our nursery, to firstly pot into 9cm pots. Use a multi-purpose peat (or peat alternative) based compost for autumn planting or multi-purpose or John Innes No. 2 compost for spring planting.
Place the pots in a cool glass house or on a window ledge, in a light position to over winter. When the plants are established, plant outside in groups approximately 1/2 metre or less apart.
Violets should receive extra moisture in dry weather, as Red Spider Mite is liable to attack if they are allowed to get parched. Spraying with a hose is helpful. Occasional feeding with soot water or liquid manure and even a top dressing of blood or bone is helpful for good blooms.
Keep runners picked off during the growing season. This will encourage good sized flowers.