Weeds
Weeds and moss are the bane of most lawn lovers lives. Here are a selection of the most common lawn weeds, although your local operator will be able to advise you when he carries out a lawn analysis if you have anything more ‘exotic’.
Common Name: Creeping Buttercup
Scientific Name: Ranunculus repens
Flowers fairly early on in the year, around April time and has vigorous rooting runners. Very common in damp lawns and clay soils.
Common Name: Lesser Celandine
Scientific Name: Ranunculus Ficaria
A low growing perennial with heart shaped leaves. Flowers between February and May with a single yellow flower which only opens in bright sunshine.
Common Name: Common mouse ear chickweed
Scientific Name: Cerastium fontanum
This is a prostrate annual with weak stems, which can grow up to 40cm long. It has white flowers, which flower from February to November.
Common Name: White Clover
Scientific Name: Trifolium Repens
The bane of many gardeners lawns, this weed has rooting stems which creep along the soil surface. Flowers are white and appear between May and October.
Common Name: Daisy
Scientific Name: Bellis Perennis
One of the most common, and popular, lawn weeds, the daisy is a tufted perennial with tightly packed flowers. The flowers appear all through the year, peaking towards the late spring, and have a yellow central disk with white petals.
Common Name: Dandelion
Scientific Name: Taraxacum Officinale
Easily recognised lawn weed with a single, solitary yellow flower, which sits on a fairly weak, hollow stalk. Flowers from March to October.
Common Name: Plantain
Scientific Name: Plantago lancelota/major
There are various species of plantain, which are common on bare ground but equally happy on grassland. This broadleaf weed grows close to the ground and is tolerant to trampling and mowing.
Common Name: Slender Speedwell
Scientific Name: Veronica Filiformis
Very common in amenity grassland and turf, with creeping stems and small lilac flowers, with a white centre. Flowers From April to June.
Common Name: Lesser Trefoil
Scientific Name: Trifolium Dubium
Low growing but can reach lengths of up to 50cm. With 3 small, oval leaves and a tiny yellow flower, which appears between May and August.
