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Invasive lawn weed

geoff979geoff979 Posts: 16
in Problem solving
Can anyone identify this plant please?
It spread over my lawn last year and I'd like to know how to deal with it next time.
It's about the size of clover but looks quite different.
Many thanks.

Posts

  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Self heal. Lovely little wildflower, good for the bees and the seedheads are very popular with goldfinches. You can deal with it by enjoying it :)
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    I agree with wild edges, it looks great with White Clover if you hold off shaving the lawn in summer


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    It's other name is Prunella Vulgaris, it's edible and has been well used in herbal medicine. I think it's pretty, there is a cultivated one, Prunella Grandiflora. I have the wild one in my lawn too. I leave the weeds in the lawn as I live in Dordogne, hot summers, the grass goes beige but the wild flowers (weeds) stay green.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • geoff979geoff979 Posts: 16
    Thank you so much for your replies. Yes I also think it's pretty, I just wasn't sure if it was wise to let it go unchecked on the lawn.
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    They like damp soil and don't mind shade, so may be an indication of underlying soil conditions that you could look to improve, to encourage the grass in the lawn.
  • geoff979geoff979 Posts: 16
    Unfortunately we have clay here and the ground is quite wet so it's clear now why this plant has paid us a visit. The lawn itself is a bit of a struggle in these conditions.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I get it here quite a lot too Geoff, but it's very pretty and the insects like the flowers, so I don't find it too much of an issue to leave it. 
    At least it's mainly green, so it fits in well  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    It’s green and it seems to cope with damp shady areas better than
    lawn grasses do ... seems a no brainer to me  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • geoff979geoff979 Posts: 16
    Thank you all. I shall enjoy it as you suggest. One can't be too careful.
    I remember seeing Japanese knotweed for the first time and thinking how pretty it was.............
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Very true @geoff979 :o:/
    but Prunella Bulgaria is a British native  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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