She’s celebrating her 104th birthday. Absolutely marvelous. She’s part of an amazing family. A family that brings love to everything they do. And she loves Violets. So Violets it will be.

There are somewhere between four hundred and five hundred different species of Violets in the genus Viola, and those Violets are scattered all over this planet.

I’m really pleased to find many many different species of them here on my mountain, up in Shenandoah National Park and other places that I roam.

I’m thrilled to find an unknown leaf, an unknown flower and Violets always surprise me with their variety.

There is even at least one small shrub in the genus Viola which grows in Portugal. Most other species are either perennial or annual plants.

I don’t think I’ll be getting to Portugal anytime soon but that’s fine. There’s so many Violets here to keep me busy with finding, photographing and identifying them.

Keep in mind as you’re tending your gardens to leave some of the Violets. They’re beautiful and they are depended upon by many of the Fritillary butterflies as a primary host plant.

Sending loads of Violet thoughts and many hugs to you, birthday girl!