Groves Nursery in Bridport, Dorset, has been breeding violets since 1866 and, today, holds a National Collection, as well as offering more than 200 varieties for sale. Tilly Ware paid a visit and picked up expert advice from the latest member of the family to run the nursery, Clive Groves — the great-great-grandson of Groves Nursery’s founder.
Although the genus Viola includes more than 500 species of annuals, perennials and sub-shrubs found in temperate areas…