And Harden Your Hearts.
Yes, I am talking about a flower: Violets. Johnny Jump-Ups. Small pansies. Whatever.
Do not be deterred. Do not be swayed by their innocent demeanor. These plants will ruin your garden.
Oh yes, they will charm you in the process, but be charmed and you have already lost the battle.
Trust me. This much, I know.
Here’s how it happens:
1) You walk into your garden on an early spring afternoon, shortly after the snow has melted and notice a single purple flower in a corner of a bed. It is breath-taking. Its tenacity stunning.
2) Each day that you are in your stark spring garden, poking around and getting the sterile gray dirt ready, or spreading the brown compost, you smile at the purple flower. It gives you hope. It is a look into the future of your garden. It makes you happy.
3) Weeks later, it is still blooming. It is sort of in the way as you plant seeds, but you have come to love this flower. Pulling it out would be wrong. It would feel like ripping your own heart out. So, you plant around it.
4) You eventually forget about your purple flower. It gets taken over by the lettuce, or the swiss chard or the beans. It disappears.
5) Or does it?
6) Fast forward 10 months. It is another first of many strolls through the garden on a warm-ish March morning: a purple flower! Where did it come from? So pretty!
7) They are more! Oh so fun! In the paths, in the dirt, in the grass!
8 ) Wait a minute… They. Are. Everywhere.
9) And you realize that something must be done. You need to take them out.
10) They are so pretty, so you dig them out and give them as gifts for birthdays of friends…
11) For your coffee table…
12) For your screen porch…
13) And maybe…. maybe…. you can leave just one to make you smile in the garden…
Sylvana says
I let them grow where they want and just pull them out when they are in the way. Yours are way prettier than mine! So petite!
Sheila says
One of your best posts ever. Loved. Loved. Loved it.
GrowerJim says
I have many species of escapees in my garden that were very desirable when they were just one or two plants. Now many of them are threatening to take over!
Lisa says
I’m in the “let ’em spread” camp. If they’re pretty and harmless, why fight?
admin says
Does your conscience pull at you when you rip them out? Between the chamomile and the johnny jump-ups, my garden paths are in serious jeopardy. And I STILL can hardly bring myself to pull them!
admin says
Sheila, you can’t be serious?
admin says
But…. Are they harmless? Do they sap nutrients? Do they attract pests?
Just kidding. I just love them, but by July I’m kicking myself for not tearing them out in April. We shall see how it goes this year…
Nat Alea from OK says
I would give anything to have wild violets growing in my yard. All I have is some crazy weeds. You would be proud of me though Jen, I planted not only my regular basil and cilantro, but I actually bought rosemary AND thyme. AND I have used them. They were soooo good in my bread.
admin says
What’s that they say? Be careful what you wish for? True, true. They are cute though. But so are dandelions. Rosemary AND Thyme! Can you even resist running your fingers thru the rosemary and smelling every single time you walk by? I’m so jealous you can plant them out yet. I should probably bring mine out of the sweltering greenhouse at least, but I’m still a couple weeks away from planting out. I could eat rosemary every day.