Violets

 How did Victorian flower sellers sell bunches of violets " Vi'lets, Sweet Vi'lets,  Luv'ly Vi'lets" ?

 It would take an age to pick a nosegay of these tiny flowers and the stems are so fragile - how were they bunched?

And what is the difference between Dog Violet (Viola riviniana) and Sweet Violet(Viola ododrata)?

And which of the two are this year growing well on the bank just along the road from home or are they the result of  hybridisation and not how violets would have been 100 years ago?

I don't think these violets have any scent. Impossible to check properly, and, as they are by the road they are more likely to smell of car fumes or dog wee!

The Romans made wine from violets and used a wreath of the flowers to cure insomnia, gout and wounds.

When I was young violets were common  in the lanes near home, but certainly not so profuse as these here, we used to pick some to put in a meat paste jar, but we always looked out for white violets  that were more unusual to see.

Nowadays they could be crystallised to use for a cake decoration, something I don't have the patience or enthusiasm to try!