Tiny blue flowers of speedwell. Tim Sandall

Speedwell

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Speedwell (Veronica spp.) is an annual wildflower that can spread through lawns and borders. It has attractive tiny blue flowers. It spreads by seed in spring and autumn to form plants with strong tap roots. In areas where it is not causing problems, it can be left as ground cover for insects and to provide nectar for pollinators.

Symptoms

Speedwell appears in lawns as individual plants. It can inhibit grass growth and, if unchecked, can spread through borders.

Find it in

Borders and lawns

Organic

The best way to tackle speedwell organically in borders is to hoe it before it flowers and sets seed, then remove it or leave it on the soil surface on a hot day to wither and die. In lawns, increase the height of the cut so that it is shaded out by the grass and ensure the sward is dense and healthy so it can compete with the weed. It is not necessary to treat speedwell with weedkiller as it is easy to remove by other means and most speedwell species are resistant to weedkillers.

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