Germander Speedwell

Common name: Germander Speedwell

Botanical name: Veronica chamaedrys

Family: Plantaginaceae

Life cycle: Perennial

Habitat: Germander speedwell will grow on most types of soil, however it is less common in managed turf than slender speedwell.

Leaf: The oval shaped leaves have prominent veins with jagged edges. The leaves tend to be larger than those of slender speedwell.

Flower: The flowers are blue in colour with a white centre. Each flower has four petals, with one petal being smaller than the remaining three.

Removal & control: Prevent this weed becoming a problem with good turf care practises that will encourage a thick, healthy sward of grass. Box of clipping when you cut the lawn, as this weed is capable of regenerating from small fragments that are returned to the lawn.

Chemical control of germander speedwell will prove difficult and results will be poor. In the case of this weed prevention is better than the cure.