In the 16th century, Shakespeare mentioned in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" that "the arrow of Cupid fell on a little western flower, it was originally milky white, now stained purple by the wounds of love, and maidens call it 'heartsease.'"

Heartsease is undeniably adorable, as described by flower enthusiasts who have seen it. Resembling the faces of small flower cats, some appear particularly mischievous, as if the flower cats are making funny faces.

This charming flower comes in various varieties, boasting adorable flower shapes and vibrant and varied colors. Each petal displays three colors, gradually transitioning, forming the appearance of a flower cat's face. Originally pure white, heartsease flowers have evolved to feature three colors on each petal.

1. Adorable heartsease flowers, resembling mischievous flower cats:

When enthusiasts behold the charming appearance of heart-shaped flowers, they often exclaim their beauty!

When encountering patches of heart-shaped flowers with different colors, it's akin to seeing a series of cat faces, selling cuteness and making funny faces, melting hearts. Some affectionately call them "flower girls"!

Belonging to the genus Viola in the family Violaceae, each petal of the heartsease flower typically displays shades of purple, white, and yellow, resembling cheerful little flower cats frolicking in meadows.

Heartsease is a common wildflower species in Europe and serves as the national flower of Iceland and Poland. Its cold-resistant nature and captivating beauty have made it ubiquitous across the globe, often being the first to bloom in early spring.

2. Why does each flower have three colors?

Legend has it that heartsease flowers were initially known as white violet flowers, boasting pure white colors akin to clouds in the sky. However, they later evolved to feature a combination of three colors.

Legends surrounding the origin of the heart's tri-colored petals vary. One suggests that when Cupid, the god of love, missed his mark and struck a white violet flower instead, it shed tears and blood, unable to wipe away the stains, thus becoming the heartsease flower.

Alternatively, some believe the three colors were bestowed upon heartsease flowers due to their remarkable beauty, celebrated through mythological tales. In reality, their genetic makeup and inherent characteristics determine the tri-coloration of heartsease petals.

Heartsease boasts various varieties and colors, encompassing various hues and classifications, including large flowers, solid colors, variegated colors, two-toned colors, and fringed varieties.

3. The language of heartsease flowers is related to longing:

Heartsease flowers convey an extremely romantic language, with different varieties and colors conveying distinct meanings.

The most common language associated with heartsease flowers is "think of you," symbolizing a shy and subtle expression of longing. It's often said that gifting them heart-shaped flowers can convey your sentiments if you miss someone.

4. Characteristics across different regions:

Heartsease's popularity in scenic gardens is attributed to its diverse varieties, rich colors, and prolonged flowering period. Horticultural companies worldwide continue to study and enhance heartsease flowers, enriching their posture, shape, and color.

The evolutionary history of heart disease dates back to the 17th century when Europeans introduced wild varieties to Europe for courtyard cultivation. Through continuous improvement over the centuries, heart disease has developed cold-resistant characteristics and has seen significant size and color variety advancements. Post-1970s, miniature and black varieties have also been developed, further expanding the diversity of heartsease flowers.