Seeding started his past week beginning with lisianthus (that won't bloom until August?), some particularly pesky perennials (stratified, soaked, scarred in order to germinate) & VIOLAS.
There is a hilarious documentary Brian and I watched several years ago made by (I think?) The Rhinebeck Historical Society about the history of local violet growers. Some of the conclusions that were made in the film were WILD. Hilariously off the mark. And yet - I would still recommend you watch it if you can find the DVD at the Stanfordville Library. Then we can gab about the fascinating local history of what used to be the violet capital of the world and laugh about why these historians thought the violet industry died. And yes, I know a viola isn’t a violet, but a violet is a viola, so bear with me.
I started growing violas at Foxtrot last season per the request of a friend whose flowers we arranged for her wedding! She wanted violas in her signature cocktails. Delight! I interplanted these low growing cuties between our dahlias and soon, fell in love. Delicate & cheerful - these plants grew and grew and grew without a care in the world.
The aforementioned July wedding came and went and these plants were still going strong. When it was time to chop back our tunnel dahlias in late October, I couldn’t bear ripping the violas out, so they stayed. I was singing their praise to a friend who mentioned off hand that if you can grow them really close together, they make excellent cuts. Of course! The doc!
And now it’s January my friends. January! These little guys are still blooming, uncovered and unbothered in our tunnel. I’ve been harvesting them to sprinkle into - what I’m calling - the most beautiful greens mix in the world (catch it this spring). As often as I can I’ve been eating this mix with citrus, olive oil, chili flakes and flake salt, maybe parsley sprigs. It’s giving me life.
And just being with these little flowers, they’ve taught me how resilient they are! Through frost, snow, ice - to be both as tender and hardy as a viola.
I guess it’s the little things that keep us going. xx Kate