Water Violet
Hottonia palustris
Family: Primulaceae
What it is like
Hottonia palustris is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects, Cleistogomy (self-pollinating without flowers ever opening). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It can grow in water.
Height (m): 0.9
Where it is found
Ponds and ditches.
North and central Europe, including Britain, south to northern Italy, east to Siberia.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 1
The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Pride' and 'Aloofness'.
Bach: Plants used in the Bach flower remedies.
Other
Rating:
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
A vigorous water plant, either rooting in the mud a few centimetres below water level, or floating in the water. Plants overwinter by means of winter resting buds which sink to the bottom of the pond until the following spring. Plants are useful oxygenators of the water. The flowers have a delicate mossy scent rather like the primrose or the fading perfume of the violet.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in pots of soil standing in water and only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division or cuttings in the spring. Just throw them into the water or place them into the submerged marginal mud.
Best place to grow: Pond;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 5-9
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Water