WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE? 
Low growing plants with heart-shaped leaves and five-petalled flowers.
Flowers are usually purple, but can also be white.
Often grow in CLUMPS.
ARE PERENNIAL VIOLETS A PROBLEM?
YES
Spread with enthusiasm.
Not as aggressive as most problem weeds, BUT will compete with other plants.
Get into lawns.
Are difficult to get rid of.
NO
Are a useful groundcover plant.
Have pretty flowers and a lovely scent.
Are a GOOD early flower for POLLINATORS.
FLOWERS and LEAVES are edible –can be added to salads, and leaves can be cooked like spinach.
Can be worn in a wreath around the neck to prevent drunkenness (though NOT scientifically proven)
HOW DO THEY GROW?
Spread by SEEDS and also by short horizontal root runners.
Prefer SHADY, MOIST areas, but can spread to other areas.
HOW TO DEAL WITH VIOLETS?
WEED unwanted violets – make sure to get ALL the roots!
DO NOT let them start SPREADING where you don’t want them.
Large areas of unwanted violets can be covered with PLASTIC to kill them.
Maintain a HEALTHY lawn.
Sources:
Parish, R., Coupe, R., and Lloyd, D. Plants of the Southern Interior British Columbia and the Inland Northwest, 1996.
Cornell University. Growing Guide, Sweet Violet. www. gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scenef803.html
Master Gardeners of Ontario Facebook Page. Violets – Friend or Foe?
www.mgoi.ca/resources/Gardening-FAQs/Violets-Friend-or-Foe.pdf
Image: Fritz Geller-Grimm, CC – Wiki Commons