Question: I’ve seen some varieties described as “Geneva” edged. What does this mean?
Answer: This simply means having a blossom with petals edged in white. The term originates from ‘Lady Geneva’, the first variety having blooms with this distinctive white edge. It was a sport (i.e. deviation from its parent) of ‘Blue Boy’, one of the earliest hybrid violets. The thickness of geneva edging is variable, and is easily influenced by cultural conditions, particularly temperature. Varieties described as having a “pencilled” (or thin) edge often lose the edging in very warm conditions