'Veilchenblau' has small, semi-double flowers with an average diameter of 3 to 4 centimetres (1.2 to 1.6 in)[2][3] and a sweet, fruity fragrance reminiscent of lily-of-the-valley.

[4] The crimson buds appear in late spring and early summer (June to July) in loose clusters of 10 to 30, and open to dark, purple violet flowers with a white center, that age to a grayish mauve, especially under hot conditions.

[3] In autumn, 'Veilchenblau' develops small brown-red hips of only 5 to 10 mm length, decorating the shrub into the winter.

[3] It has large, glossy, light to medium green foliage,[4] tolerates heat,[5] half-shade and poor soils, and is winter hardy up to −29 °C (USDA zone 5), but should be planted in airy locations, as it is susceptible to mildew.

Some of its seedlings are from the beginning of the 20th century are 'Rose Marie Viaud' (Igoult, 1924), 'Violette' (Turbat, 1921), 'Schloß Friedenstein' (Schmidt, 1915), and 'Mosel' (Lambert, 1920).