Viola odorata or the sweet violet is a plant with a long history of cultivation. Mainly because of it's lovely perfumed flowers.
It is therefore no surprise that this species can often be found as a garden escape near gardens.
Besides the perfume it is also easily recognisable by the fact that it makes runners and therefore multiplies rather fast into colonies.
The leafstalks are somewhat hairy but never as hairy as Viola hirta.
Naturally this species can be found on calcareous soils is open woodlands, under hedgerows and coastal dunes.