By Laurie Zitterkopf
Nebraska Extension Master Gardener
May 7 – April Native Violets deserve a place in your garden and lawn. Native violets are tough plants. They can grow just about anywhere. These wildflowers often appear in lawns, where they’re frequently removed with herbicides. Our native violets are the only host plant of the fritillary butterflies, of which Scotts Bluff County hosts seven species. The fritillary butterfly lays her egg in the fall, the egg hatches, and overwinters. In the spring, it must find a native violet plant to feed.
May 8 – Native violets play a unique role in supporting local ecosystems by providing a vital source of nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators. While their blooms provide nectar for the bees and other pollinators, their leaves provide food for the Fritillary butterfly caterpillars. Their presence encourages bees to visit, ensuring pollination, which is essential for growing fruits and vegetables. Positioned alongside early spring bloomers, violets contribute to the biodiversity necessary for a healthy pollinator population.
May 9 – Similar to dandelions, native violets are beneficial for aerating the soil and enriching it with nutrients. Their deep roots break up compacted soil, improving aeration and drainage. This action helps pull essential nutrients, such as potassium and calcium, to the surface, where they become available to other plants. While the root systems are working for us below the surface above the ground parts of the violets are working for us and are also used in the kitchen.
May 10 – Nuttall’s violet, the only violet coloring are the nectar guides – purple stripes on the bright yellow petals. The flowers are on stems about the same length as the leaves, so the entire plant is about four inches tall. The flowers bloom from April through June, attracting the pollinators. Nuttall’s violet tolerates, and may require, some grazing in mixed grass prairies. Grazing will keep vegetation from over-topping this short-statured plant. Nuttall is the only yellow-flowered violet found in prairies in our region.
May 11 – The flowers and young leaves of the common violet are edible. Violets and pansies are among the most popular edible flowers in America – and with good reason. Not only are these beautiful little flowers easy to grow, but they are also among the few flowers that actually taste good. The flowers make a nice addition to salads. Violet leaves are high in vitamins A and C and can be used in salads or cooked like spinach.