Plant Spotlight: Common Blue Violet

Common Blue Violet.  I really wish this would take over my lawn.  It has to be the cutest wee ground cover.  Here and there, I’ll see it pop up.  When I do, I lift its chin and give an encouraging nod (“hey! grow more, please!”).  I suppose some people would call this a weed, others say it’s invasive, still other say it’s growth habitat is no different than the grass in our lawns except it offers a plethora of benefits that grass does not.  It’s an important host plant for many caterpillars. It’s also edible and, as previously mentioned, freaking adorable!  I am totally fine with my lawn being a big, beautiful bowl of salad for myself and bugs.  But alas, so far, it’s not the mass takeover I’m hoping for.

Oh and hey! For us Illinoisans, apparently this is the State Flower. Awwwww!