Buchan White Sweet Violet

Buchan White Sweet Violet (Viola odorata 'Buchan White') is a spreading groundcover with heart-shaped leaves and fragrant pure white flowers in spring. It stays 10cm to 20cm tall and spreads 20cm to 50cm wide, which makes it a soft carpet under trees and in shady beds. Unlike many violets, it is reported to cope with sunshine too, provided the soil stays moist.

Why you'll love it

• Fragrant white flowers. Pure white spring blooms carry the sweet scent that gives the violet its name.
• Carpets shady ground. Heart-shaped leaves spread to cover the soil beneath trees and in shaded beds.
• More sun-tolerant than most violets. Reports say it copes with sunshine, but in warm sites it needs regular water and soil that holds moisture.
• Easy about soil. It grows in almost any kind of soil, as long as it is moist.
• Completely frost hardy. Cold winters do not trouble it.

Where it works best

Under trees and in shady beds. Plant 30cm apart, which is about 11 plants per square metre. With a spread of 20cm to 50cm the plants meet in a season or two and shade out most weeds beneath them.

Cottage gardens. It tucks beneath roses, shrubs and perennials, and its spring flowers and scent suit the soft, informal look.

Baskets and planters. A hanging basket or planter brings the fragrance up to nose height by a door or seat.

Borders and edges. A band along the front of a bed softens the line between garden and path.

Growing Buchan White Sweet Violet in Australia

Position and climate. A sunny to shaded position. It is completely frost hardy, so it suits cool temperate and warm temperate gardens, as well as subtropical and Mediterranean gardens where it gets shade or regular water. Dappled shade is the easiest spot in warm climates.

Soil. Almost any kind of soil, but it must stay moist to perform well. Mulch to hold moisture, especially in sunnier positions.

Water and feed. Water generously for the first 12 weeks or so while it establishes, then regularly in dry spells. Feed with liquid fertiliser each month through spring and summer for lush coverage.

Pruning. Little is needed. Trim away old leaves after flowering to keep the carpet tidy.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Buchan White Sweet Violet as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives as a small tuft of heart-shaped leaves and spreads outwards as it settles. Plants travel upright, so unpack them promptly and water them in.

Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on the page, and the notify button emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Fragrant plants
• Groundcovers for low maintenance gardens
• The most fragrant plants for Australian gardens
• The best groundcovers for shade

Common questions

Will it grow in full sun?

Reports say it copes with sunshine, which sets it apart from many violets, but in warm sites it needs regular water and soil that holds moisture. In hot, dry gardens, dappled shade is safer.

How many plants do I need?

Plant 30cm apart, which is about 11 plants per square metre. The spread of 20cm to 50cm means the carpet closes within a season or two.

When is it fragrant?

The scented white flowers open in spring. The heart-shaped leaves stay on as a groundcover for the rest of the year.