Wild violets?

Hello,

I've spent hours trying to identify this plant that has been creeping over my lawn, I think it may be wild violet. However, does that plant even occur in the UK? All references I've found suggest its only present in North America.

I've started to dig them up and the roots are deep and extensive, with each clump linking to the next horizontally. It looks like a real mess and I'm wondering if I should break out the herbicides?

I'll include pictures from this spring when it flowered and actually looked quite nice, but since then the leaves have spread everywhere. Any advice on how to get this under control is much appreciated.

Owen

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i99/oclegg/garden/56.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i99/oclegg/garden/60.jpg

 

It looks like Viola odorata. Common name sweet violet.
I believe it is native to all Northern Europe.

http://www.wildchicken.com/nature/garden/nature_200_165.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viola_odorata

http://www.google.co.uk/images?q=viola%20odorata&rls=p,com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7SUNA_en-GB&redir_esc=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1239&bih=528

It also occurs in the white form Viola odorata alba.

http://www.cottage-garden-plants.co.uk/Viola-odorata-Alba.html

 

I think I know the stuff you mean Owen.
I think the only answer is the weedkiller you can spray on the lawn without killing the grass and just keep spraying it until it is gone - might take 2 or 3 sprayings.

 

I must say I think that looks absolutely beautiful, Owen, :gnthb: and I would love to have it growing in my little "woodland" corner.

Is it still grown now, like in the pics? Rather late for violets, I think.

Agreed, it would be too much in the lawn though. Hope you manage to get it out.

 

Thank you all the for the help, I'm now investigating what to do next with my colony of viola odorata.

As I said, the plant was very pretty in the spring but once the flowers dropped off its leaves have spread over a third of my lawn. They lie low, beneath the reach of the lawn mover, push out the grass and appear to enjoy the shady wet conditions of my terrace garden.

From what I've read, it will be a challenge to eradicate as it sets copious seed, spreads by short runners, and resprouts!!

Wish me luck!
Owen

 

I wish you luck Owen - and anything will give in eventually if you keep at it.