"Name that godforsaken leafy thing", part 2

9 years ago

This one had purple flowers a few weeks ago-- I suppose it must be some sort of violet?

This thing is the WORST-- and it's sad bc it's quite pretty when the flowers are blooming. But the problem is, it truly is EVERYWHERE.

Throughout my entire yard, front/back/sides, you name it. Some areas it's just sporadic and others it's quite a bit thicker than the grass. It's taken over a part of a few of my garden beds too, all the way to the house.

We just bought this house a year ago, from an older couple who admittedly did "absolutely no gardening"-- and they'd been here for 6 years. I really didn't realize what kind of work was in my future, just getting things in some general sort of order, much less with nothing planted that I actually liked.

So does anyone know what this is specifically? And more importantly, what I can do about it?? I tried going over a few areas with one of those propane torches-- one of our neighbors swears by it-- but it all came right back, happy as could be. I'm not keen to use super harsh chemicals but if that's my only route, I am willing to work something out. Maybe in winter when the kids won't be out there?

Any help GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!

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Comments (7)

nnmjdklil
Original Author
9 years ago
ps. I'm about 20 minutes outside of Baltimore MD, zone 7 and our yard has sun and shade.
Carrie B
9 years ago
Lesser celandine, Ranunculus ficaria, I believe.
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offplumb
9 years ago
did you say purple flowers?
could be wood violet - Viola sororia.?
In a informal woodland garden with black walnut, they are welcome here.

Here is a link that might be useful: wildflowers - Viola sororia
Iris GW
9 years ago
Could be several plants mixed together. Dig one up and take a pictures of the roots.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
9 years ago
Violets i.e. Viola species.
seagreen_turtle Z5b/6a SE Michigan
9 years ago
Are the roots like tubers? I have violets in my shady back yard. I could never even begin to get rid of them. They look good, as you say, in the spring before and while they're flowering. They start to look really scraggly as the summer wears on. I have a few in the front yard but they don't take over or bother me there. They forma a nice ring around my maple tree.

In the back I can mow them down with the lawnmower to freshen them up. They'll grow back neater. For garden beds I do try to dig them out getting all the roots. If I plant something that's vigorous, they can outcompete most of the violets.
nnmjdklil
Original Author
9 years ago
Oh boy, that's it. UGH. Sounds nearly impossible to get rid of too, if I'm to believe what the first few findings of a google search turned up. Sigh.

Think I'll stick with your approach, turtle-- the mowing is basically what we've been doing. Husband takes his weedwhacker to a particularly crazy area of them in the backyard, a fairly large area of JUST violets. It looks neat for a few days... and they're back. I'll keep pulling what I can from the garden beds but ick, one area there sucks extra bad too because it goes all under a huge viburnum and it's hard to get to. I really wish I could just wave a magic wand and make them disappear!

For the most part, I'll have to table this one for another year, it's not at the top of my priority list. Or in the middle, ha. Thanks everyone!!