Let me give you a
few words of warning. While the violets are very attractive flowers in the
spring, they keep their foliage most of the growing season. This foliage would
interfere with your zoysia grass. They are also quite easily spread, and more
people call me each year asking how to kill the violets--which by the way, are
not that easily killed. Another option for early spring color would be crocus
bulbs. It will be too late to plant now, but next fall you could plant. They
get growing early in the year, give you wonderful yellow, purple or white
blooms, and their life cycle is complete by the time you need to mow your
zoysia for the first time.
(January) I have zoysia
in the front yard and would like to have some pretty wild flower bloom in the
early spring before the grass starts growing too high. In looking though an
Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department wildflower program
brochure, the Bird's Foot Violet (Viola pedata) seems to be an ideal flower to
try. It blooms early-April to May, is not too tall - 6 inches, and has several
different shades of violet. I would like to find out where to purchase the seeds
in bulk and how much to use per square foot in order to fully cover about 2000
sq feet of lawn.