The best part of this ground cover? The stunning flowers. This grass alternative produces purple blooms in spring, attracting wildlife while providing beauty.

Later in the season, a plant with spurs on the base of flowers can be found: long spurred violet (Viola selkirkii). Both of these purple violets grow in groups, often with many blooms.

The common blue wood violet is the state flower of Illinois, New Jersey, Wisconsin and Rhode Island. • Illinois was the first to adopt it by school children selecting it in 1908.