Speedwells

Speedwells are small creeping plants with attractive blue flowers, Four species are commonly found in gardens in the UK, with slender speedwell being most commonly found in lawns. Speedwells provide good cover for a range of small invertebrates, as well as providing nectar for bees. 

Slender speedwell spreads by producing overground and underground runners which take root at intervals. It is a low-growing weed that will continue to flourish even with low mowing. In lawns it is often not noticed until it has become well established and at this point removal can be difficult, not least because fragments of the plant that are scattered through mowing can become established in new areas of the lawn. 

Speedwell does not become established so readily in healthy dense grass, so good lawn maintenance including regular feeding, aeration and scarification will make conditions less favourable for speedwell. Similarly, raising the height of the mower will help the grass grow over the speedwell and limit the spread.