As I sit here in my office on a beautiful early April day in East Tennessee, I can smell the fresh cut grass from the yard across the street as the neighbor mows. The fescue is really thriving with the warming spring temperatures, but it is not the only plant. Viola sororia, the common blue violet, is also enjoying the beautiful weather.
The common blue violet has some aliases as well. It is sometimes referred to as the meadow, purple, hooded, or the wood violet. The plant is herbaceous, meaning it is not woody.
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Common violet taking over my tall fescue lawn.
The clumping or bunching habit of a single plant.
Flowers - notice the white throats that help identify it from other violets.
Heart shaped leaves.
Eat it or Treat it
Although violets may be problematic in a lawn, many species of insects and wildlife rely on these early spring bloomers. Bees love to come and pollinate the flowers. Deer, rabbits, and birds also consume the vegetation.
Humans can consume this plant as well. While it doesn’t have much for a flavor profile, it is very high in vitamin A and C. The Cherokee Tribe used these plants to treat colds and headaches, and the flowers can be used to make jellies and candies. People tell me that the old-timers here in Tennessee make wine with these violets.
So, violets in the lawn aren’t welcome, but leaving them growing in mulch beds or more wild parts of your landscape can be a beautiful burst of color in early spring.
This perennial violet spreads by rhizomes and from the seeds produced by the flowers in early spring. If you don’t control these in a lawn, they can overtake areas very quickly.
The white and purple types are sometimes referred to as Confederate violets and classified as Viola sororia f. priceana. There is a plethora of different violets because they cross pollinate very easily. You can find many of these hybrids in your local garden store, just keep in mind if you plant them, they will spread.
You may find the light blue Confederate violet in your lawn too.
Johnny jump ups (Viola tricolor), the winter annual bedding plant, are closely related. Photo by Hillary Thompson.
The common blue violet is a native species that is found in Eastern North America from Mexico to Canada. Wisconsin (Go Badgers!), Illinois, Rhode Island, and New Jersey all recognize the common blue violet as their state flower. These plants enjoy cool moist soil, but can be found growing in full sun, like throughout my backyard.
Learn more about violets from these websites:
All photos by Paul Krueger, unless otherwise noted.