Although it is not as common in fine turf as slender speedwell, it is equally as difficult to remove with selective weed killers. They are Germander Speedwell and Slender Speedwell. In garden beds. Common speedwell (Veronica officinalis), and thyme-leaved speedwell (Veronica serpyllifolia) both have trailing stems that tend to form mats covering roughly circular areas of lawns and waste areas. You do this with good lawn care practices that promote good grass growth. The best time to plant it is in spring, once it is easy to work the soil in your region. Grass grows best in soil that is rich in Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorous. It is now widely naturalised in many parts of the country and is a … However, products containing the active ingredient fluroxypyr as one of their ingredients (Weedol Lawn Weedkiller, Roundup Lawn Weedkiller or Weedol Gun Lawn Weedkiller Ready to Use) will provide some control in lawns. A problem in lawns where it is spread by mowing, as small fragments of stem can root. are pretty, blue-flowered perennials that look attractive in a flower-rich lawn. Low, creeping, mat forming plant. There are over 20 species of speedwell found across the UK that grow in various places. ... Grassy places, mown verges and lawns. It can be a major problem on lawns, but is not as widespread as slender speedwell in fine turf, however, it is still difficult to remove with chemicals. General information: Germander speedwell is a herbaceous perennial plant, it is a common, hardy plant that invades lawns and turf. One gardener’s weedy lawn is another's wildflower meadow, so decide if you really want to combat these plants. Glyphosate is most effective between June and September. Weedkillers often cause severe damage if applied to lawns within six months of sowing or turf-laying. The leaves may fall off during the Summer leading you to believe the plant has died. It was much grown as a rock plant until gardeners realised how invasive it could be. They are Germander Speedwell and Slender Speedwell. There are over 95 varieties of this weed with about a dozen that occur regularly within home turf; Creeping or Veronica Speedwell being the most prominent in our service area. Though the lawn should be mown regularly, do not cut it too close, as slightly longer grass will help smother the weed. Creeping speedwell, or Veronica filiformis, is a kind of weed that can feature blue and white flowers. One of the four petals is smaller and lighter.. Do not add the first lawn clippings after application of a lawn weedkiller to the compost heap. The next best weedkiller to use these days is one that contains ‘Fluroxypyr’ such as Resolva Lawn Weedkiller Spot Spray. First, consider whether this can be done using non-chemical means such as digging out or suppressing with mulch. Control can be achieved with current chemicals but this needs correct timing and adjuvants. I want to help you create the garden of your dreams. If you’ve only got one or two plants, try hand weeding, you might get lucky and remove it at the first attempt. We are reader-supported: © 2020 GardenSeeker.com. If left to Mother Nature, lawns can be overcome by weed infestation. Some lawn thatch is a good thing at it protects the crown of the grass plant from damage and disease. They bloom very pretty blue flowers. This species also has erect stems, simple or branching from the base (a). In autumn, scarify, aerate and top-dress as necessary. The type of weeds that are most stubborn and also the most invasive are the perennial species, examples of which would be clover, trefoil, creeping buttercup and speedwell. Purslane speedwell (Veronica peregrina L.) is an annual and can also be a weed in lawns and gardens (Figure 3). The flowers of bird's eye speedwell are quite small (8-11 mm wide) and have four petals of a deep sky-blue color, with a white centre. It is low-growing and can form dense patches in a lawn. Progreen Weed Control Solutions. The stems and leaves are either smooth or with fine, sticky hair, with a somewhat “fleshy” texture. Just because Speedwell loves fertile soil doesn’t mean you should avoid fertilising your lawn. Up until recently it was killed or controlled with a selective weedkiller called Ioxnil but this chemical was banned in 2015. Image by Amanda Slater via Flickr. If you’ve only got one or two weeds in your lawn the best approach is to remove them by hand. Germander speedwell can grow to 50cm (20in) tall, but is frequently shorter – especially when growing in lawns, where it then misses the blades of the lawnmower. Travellers in years gone by appreciated its bright blue petals and in Ireland it was sewn into clothes as a charm to protect against accidents. Sometimes amateur pesticides might not kill Speedwell in which case you might need to hire a lawn care expert. Too much, on the other hand, prevents water, air and nutrients from penetrating the soil, starving the grass of what it needs to be able to produce food and grow. If you allow the grass to grow tall and then hack it down after 8 weeks, you take away all its water and food supply. If that doesn’t work, hire a professional lawn care expert. When to see it. It has small, hairy leaves that start off kidney shaped with ruffled edges but become more rounded as they mature. Slender Speedwell and Germander Speedwell are the most common types of Speedwell found in turf accross the UK. The active ingredients that are likely to give best control are clopyralid and fluroxypyr with some effect from florasulam, mecaprop and MCPA. Breckland Speedwell Veronica praecox. April to July. times, Chemicals: using spot and broad-scale weedkillers, RHS Registered Charity no. It is designed to be diluted in water and applied via a knapsack sprayer or watering can. As if I was there doing it all for you! 2" tall x 18" wide. Speedwells are a common variety of lawn weed. 3. You’ll shock it, even kill it, ending up with a lawn with sparse, patchy brown grass. Slender speedwell (veronica filiformis) is a creeping perennial herb. Aerating the lawn involves spiking it (usually during the spring) and/or removing cores of turf via hollow tining (usually every couple of years during the autumn). This weed can grow back from fragments of root chopped up by your lawnmower so make sure you keep the grass collection box on to collect any debris. A wildflower to "speed you well": the speedwell is as common on roadsides verges as it is garden lawns. The two most common are Slender speedwell and Germander Speedwell. Another one of the Speedwell species, Germander Speedwell, or Veronica Chamaedrys goes by a few names including ‘Cats Eye’ and ‘Birds Eye’. Planting speedwell (Veronica officinalis) in the garden is a great way to enjoy long-lasting blooms throughout the summer season. Slender speedwell (Veronica filiformis) is a low-growing plant with bright blue, long-stemmed flowers early in the year, usually March to May. It spreads by seed in spring and autumn to form plants with strong tap roots. One of the four petals is smaller and lighter.. But with the right approach and a bit of patience, you can remove Speedwell and prevent it from growing back. We can improve a lawn by a astonishing 70% in just one treatment as we know results speaks for themselves and we need to get it right the first time so we have no room for mediocre results. If you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission which helps maintain the site. Speedwell is a weed that inhabits lawns all across the UK. Successfully controlling weeds in lawns with weedkillers depends upon identifying what weeds you have and then selecting the appropriate chemical. Read: How to Mow the Lawn Like a Pro: Everything You Should Know About Grass Cutting, Also Read: Reviews of the Best Lawn Mowers. This … Healthy grass has to grow, and if it can’t grow tall it has to grow in other ways. General information: Germander speedwell is a herbaceous perennial plant, it is a common, hardy plant that invades lawns and turf. Try Killing it with a Spot Spray Weedkiller, Spray the Whole Lawn With a Selective Weedkiller Concentrate, How to Prevent Speedwell From Growing in Your Lawn, Remove Excess Thatch by Scarifying Your Lawn, Aerate Your Lawn to Relieve Soil Compaction, it was introduced into the UK from Turkey in 1808, Which is the Best Weedkiller for Grass? Purslane speedwell (Veronica peregrina L.) is an annual and can also be a weed in lawns and gardens (Figure 3). Spot treat using the non-selective weedkiller glyphosate, taking care to avoid all contact with cultivated plants. Slender Speedwell can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, preferring moist sites, and can quite easily tolerate close mown lawns. Flowers and Fruits. Soil compaction occurs when you use a lawn heavily. 020 3176 5800 My Top Picks. Slender speedwell has many common names, including creeping speedwell, threadstalk speedwell, birdseye speedwell, creeping veronica, whetzel weed and gypsy weed. Two characteristics that most have in common are four-petaled blue or white flowers and heart-shaped seed pods. Speedwell is a weed that inhabits lawns all across the UK. Its yellow flowers are visible from early summer to mid-autumn, and its leaves are … It was much grown as a rock plant until gardeners realised how invasive it could be. I'm a professional gardener with degrees in Horticulture & Landscape Gardening. Green Lawns UK strive to be very best we can and always ask is give us a try only if its for one treatment without ever asking you to sign a contract. For all varieties try to mow when it is flowering. A dense, healthy lawn will choke out Speedwell and not give it the room to grow. This sideways growth is what creates a thick, lush lawn. Has a similar growth habit to Germander Speedwell. These plants spread from cuttings so most occurrences in the lawn are due to mulch mowing, raking, scarifying or mowing in general where some plant material is left behind. Read: Lawn Aeration: Everything You Need to Know About Aerating Your Lawn (The Ultimate Guide). All Rights Reserved. It’s not the most common lawn weed. This leaves no room for weeds to germinate. Boost grass growth to discourage the spread of the weed by feeding with spring and summer lawn feeds. Lush and thick green lawns choke out the corn speedwell weeds and will prevent the weeds from getting re-established in your yard. Always read weedkiller labels carefully before buying or using, to ensure you choose a product that is best fit for purpose. The flowers are rarely followed by seeds as the plants are self-sterile and most appear to be from the same clone. The annual speedwell is not something you would try to control in the spring since it is going to die BUT will set seed for next year. Pinkish/Purple flowers 8 – 12 mm (1/2 inch) in diameter with jagged petals. Thatch is a main cause of moss on lawns. RHS members can get exclusive individual advice from the RHS Gardening Advice team. The flowers, which are visible between April and June are very pretty. Creeping speedwell is also sold as an ornamental ground cover and is available and many greenhouses. Though the lawn should be mown regularly, do not cut it too close, as slightly longer grass will help smother the weed. Weed Weapon is systemic and kills weeds down to the roots within 2-4 days and is an ideal product for use around established trees and shrubs.It is inactive in the soil so planting can be safely carried out soon after treatment. It is also known as ‘cat’s eye’ and ‘birds eye’, both names referring to … The flowers have outwardly radiating, darker blue stripes. As a result, Speedwell can be a real pain to completely get rid of. Veronica (Speedwell) is an easy-care perennial plant that grows in a large variety of heights. Creeping speedwell spreads more rapidly in the shade but thrives in sunny sites too. There are several different types of Speedwell but only two of them cause problems in lawns. There are several different types of Speedwell but only two of them cause problems in lawns. is a common weed that infests lawns and gardens throughout the U.S. Two varieties of Speedwell exist: Slender Speedwell (Veronica filliformis) and Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys) Take your time to remove the whole thing and not leave any fragments of root in the soil. Below you can find details of which weedkillers work best for tackling specific weeds – and information on those that are resistant. Boxing of the clipping when mowing will help prevent the weed from spreading. But make no mistake, the roots will stay put, ready to grow again next year. VC55 Status. Slender speedwell (Veronica filiformis) is a low-growing plant with bright blue, long-stemmed flowers early in the year, usually March to May. Leave the weed for three to four weeks for the weedkiller to take effect, before removing dead foliage. The botanical name veronica filiformis originates from both Latin and Greek. 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