In the Victorian era and beyond, violets were the corsage and bouquet flower of choice. At its peak in 1912, growers shipped more than 5 million blooms for Easter by train from Rhinecliff Station, and Sweet Violets like the Marie Louise and Swanley White from Dutchess County dominated the commercial flower market. Gaining and losing momentum according to fashion, the industry slipped into decline until the last of the Violet Kings gave up in 1979. Now, one remaining strip of cultivated violets grows in an anemone greenhouse outside Rhinebeck. In the late winter and early spring deep purple Frey’s Fragrant violets are picked for culinary purposes and bunched for the occasional Valentine’s Day bouquet. From local filmmaker Tobe Carey, SWEET VIOLETS includes interviews with historians and violet growers, along with rare film footage, vintage photographs, 19th century music, postcards, poetry, and art.

Sweet Violets   You Tube