- Speedwell lawn weed is a mat-forming evergreen perennial with slender stems and rounded scalloped leaves. It produces light and small medium-blue flowers -- similar to vinca minor -- from spring to early summer.
- As a ground cover, veronica is a good choice for bare patches in the lawn, especially in rocky areas or on difficult-to-mow, South-facing slopes. It thrives in full sun and some varieties cannot tolerate any shade at all. The plants grow in any type of soil as long as it has good drainage. Speedwell propagates by sending roots down from the stem's nodes. It does not grow rapidly and requires several plants in order to get adequate coverage.
- Till up the planting site in order to loosen the soil; compost, manure or mulch is not needed to enrich the soil. Dig a hole that is larger than the root ball; plant the veronica, cover with soil and gently tamp down to settle the soil around the roots. Space the veronica plants according to the width of the mature plant.
- Water to settle the soil around the plants and continue to water regularly, but do not overwater. Fertilizer is not necessary for speedwell, although a slow-release fertilizer can be added in the spring to extremely poor soil. It is not necessary to prune the plants or deadhead the spent flowers. Established plants can be divided in the fall or following spring.
- Once established, speedwell is invasive and -- if not monitored -- can take over a yard. The roots sent from the nodes can go under the grass and spring up in another location. If the weed is contained to a small location, it can removed manually. Pull by hand or use a shovel, pitchfork or hoe to dig up the plants; be sure to remove all roots. A broader area of the plant will require chemical treatment. Use a herbicide containing fluroxypyr and clopyralid. It might be necessary to repeat the treatment a month later. Once the weed is completely removed, replant the bare spot in the lawn with grass seed.
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