Modest, alluring and versatile, Viola odorata, or sweet violet, is a small, hardy, herbaceous perennial that tumbles and scrambles close to the ground, forming dense clumps of dainty, heart-shaped, gr

The sweet violet, Viola odorata, may be a diminutive flower, but its small, slightly asymmetrical, pansy-like flowers are highly fragrant. They open in early spring before most plants have even though

Louise Curley celebrates spring’s homegrown and low-carbon blooms, showing how to pick for months and arrange them in garden-gathered style

Presenter and garden designer Mark Lane shares his top picks for thrifty gardeners – easy to propagate, low maintenance and they’ll put on a fabulous floral show

Exciting recommendations from our expert plantsman

Now spring is in sight, gorgeous plants herald a new season