Creeping Charlie

The mat of round, scalloped leaves spreading through the shade on the north side. I’d assumed it was a violet until I actually looked at a stem.

How I identified it

• Square stems — it’s in the mint family.
• Leaves round with scalloped edges, opposite on the stem.
• Small purple two-lipped flowers in spring.
• Crushed leaves smell sharply minty.

Notes

It roots at every node where a runner touches soil, which is why pulling it rarely works. Not planning a campaign against it this year; it’s green, it holds the shade, and the bees seem to like the flowers.