We have clumps of violets growing in our lawn and they look so pretty. When I noticed this clump growing under the decking yesterday evening, I was surprised that the leaves were larger and more luxuriant than the ones in the lawn, presumably because they have more room down here to spread out.
The common dog violet has deep green heart-shaped leaves and violet five-petalled flowers. It is almost identical to the Sweet Violet but does not have a scent. I had assumed that this was a sweet violet, but when I learned this fact, I realised that I would have to do a smell test, so this morning I scrambled up the bank under the decking and sniffed. Unfortunately, there was no whiff of scent!