Sweet violet, Viola odorata, is a charming perennial, bearing tiny, strongly scented flowers over semi-evergreen foliage. It’s perfect for growing in a sheltered spot in light shade and can make good, light ground cover in a dappled woodland garden or under shrubs. A carpet of sweet violets makes fragrant ground cover in a rose bed, giving it a spectacular early flowering display leading up to the start of the rose season. Plants are easy to grow, and spread slowly.