Roses are Red, Violets are Invasive

I used to love violets. Why not? They are such a welcome spring flower. They are so pretty, so dainty, so violet. The flowers are a fabulous addition to salads. Even the leaves are good to eat.

However, right now I'm suffering with way too much of a good thing! Take a close look in the upper right of the picture. Violets produce seeds in the fall!

Behold the hidden truth about violets. Unlike the pretty purple spring blooms, these flowers at the base of the plant in the fall are meant for just one thing. They are into seed production on a grand scale. Apparently fall is the optimum time for a violet seed, because by spring you will be looking at a green carpet of tiny violet plants. Now you have been warned. That pretty violet that pops up in your garden bed is a WILD flower. Dig it up and put it where the neighborhood is tough. It is up to the competition!