Table of Contents
One of the most difficult weeds to control in the lawn is wild violet. This native plant may look cute and dainty, especially in the spring when it produces pretty purple flowers. In spring, wild violets produce their well-known purple (or sometimes white, bicolored or speckled) flowers, which are often mowed off.
How do wild violets spread?
Violets spread by underground rhizomes and may form vegetative colonies. They also spread by seed. Flowers near the soil surface that never really open, called cleistogamous or non-opening, self-pollinating, shoot seeds out to establish a new colony away from the parent.
How do I get rid of purple weeds in my lawn?
Use a broadleaf killer that contains 2,4-D or Dicamba, and it will selectively kill the violets without damaging the grass. Another great wild violet herbicide is called Drive (quinclorac). Quinclorac is also sold in other lawn weed control products, under differing names.
What weeds have little purple flowers?
Weeds With Purple Flowers 1 – Forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica, perennial) 2 – Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule, annual) 3 – Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea, perennial) 4 – Purple Dead Nettle (Lamium purpureum, annual) 5 – Wild Violets (Viola odorata, Violaceae, perennial).
Do violets come back every year?
Wild violets (Viola odorata) have heart-shaped leaves with purple-blue flowers. Although in some areas they are considered annuals or biennials, wild violets often self-seed, coming back each year in unexpected locations.
Are wild violets weeds?
Wild violets (Viola papilionacea) are winter annual or perennial weeds that often grow in clumps. The plants form rhizomes that support heart-shaped leaves. The flowers of wild violet have five petals and are usually purple, but can also be white or yellow.
How do I get rid of purple flowers in my yard?
The best means of control for these purple flowers, and other winter annual weeds, is to apply a fall pre-emergent weed control. The fall application will provide a layer of protection in your soil that will not allow weed seeds to grow into difficult to control plants.
What are those purple weeds called?
It is probably either purple deadnettle (Lamium purpureum) or henbit (Lamium amplexicaule). These weeds often get confused because they look similar. They both belong to the mint family, have square stems, have an ascending growth habit, opposite leaves, purple/pink flowers, and are winter annuals.
Is Creeping Charlie the same as wild violet?
Creeping Charlie can sometimes be mistaken for wild violet because of their similar flower color and leaves. To tell them apart, look closely at the leaves. If they are heart-shaped with sawtooth-like serrations on the edges, then it’s probably wild violet.
Do violets grow in sun or shade?
Although violets tolerate of a variety of light conditions, most will grow best in full sun to partial shade. Some woodland species tolerate more shade; in fact they can be planted in areas considered to be full shade.
Are violets and pansies the same?
The flower petals differ as well. Pansies have four petals that point upward and one that points downward; violets have three petals that point upward and two that point downward. Violet flowers are usually a white and blue-violet to yellow color. Pansy leaves are smaller, measuring 1 to 1 1/2 inches long.
Are violets poisonous to dogs?
With their fuzzy green leaves and stunning year-round flowers, African violets bloom in a range of lavenders, blues, pinks, reds, and white—depending on the variety. Both the plant and flowers are non-toxic to cats and dogs, making them perfect for those looking for a low-maintenance, blooming plant.
Why are there so many violets in my yard?
Violets establish well in shady, moist areas where turf is not vigorous and cannot out-compete violets and other weeds. Violets can also be a sign of thinning lawns overall, and can establish where lawns are mowed too short , competing with that lawns’ chances of growing thick and vigorous once more.
Are violets poisonous to humans?
Violet is not a poisonous plant and its possible toxicity is mainly due to improper use or in higher doses than recommended. It is considered a safe plant in general. Its possible adverse effects may be due mainly to the high content of saponins of the root.
What are wild violets good for?
Medicinal Uses of Wild Violets They are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and a blood cleanser. They are good for coughs and colds, and can be made into a violet leaf and honey cough syrup. Violets can also be used topically for skin conditions like eczema, dry skin, bug bites, and varicose veins.
Are violets invasive?
While pretty, these iconic wild violets are also an aggressive and invasive weed. They’ve been known to take over yards and flower beds with no concern for whatever landscaping plans the homeowner originally had in mind. They’re great for pollinators and can add a pop of color to your yard.
What is creeping Charlie look like?
What does creeping Charlie look like? Creeping Charlie produces bright green, round or kidney-shaped leaves that have scalloped edges. The leaves are produced opposite each other on square (i.e., four-sided), creeping stems that root at the nodes. In spring, small, bluish-purple,funnel-shaped flowers appear.
What’s creeping Charlie look like?
Creeping charlie weed is a green vine whose leaves are round with scalloped edges. Creeping charlie has a small purple flower. The creeping charlie plant is most easily identified by its growth habit. It is a vine that grows close to the ground and will form a mat-like ground cover if allowed to.
What does Creeping Jenny look like?
A fast-growing and vigorous groundcover, Creeping Jenny (also known as moneywort) brings mats of low-lying chartreuse color to gardens and containers. Native to Europe but naturalized to Eastern North America, its rounded golden leaves form on trailing stems with small, bright yellow flowers appearing in the summer.