What's this plant invading my lawn?

[winjim]

Not the first lawn query I've posted on here but we're in the new house now and gradually trying to get the garden up to scratch. The lawn is slowly getting more sensible but now we have this invader which seems to be marching its way across from the privet hedge.

Dark maroon leaves, little blue flowers which the two year old seems to like, and spreading at an alarming rate. So what is it, should I try and get rid of it and if so, how?

 

[Slick]

Looks like campanula (catharina) and can spread rapidly. It likes plenty shade so that's why it's following the line of the hedge.

 

[Slick]

Is the cutting the same as the 1st couple of pictures?

 

[Slick]

Probably need a proper gardener but now I think it looks like ajuga reptans (burgundy glow).

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Self Heal (Prunella vulgaris)

 

[Slick]

Self Heal (Prunella vulgaris)

Haha, I knew it would take a professional.

 

[Dave 123]

Bugle- Ajuga reptans


https://www.rhsplants.co.uk/plants/_/ajuga-reptans-atropurpurea/classid.218/

 

[Milkfloat]

What lawn, I just see mud and a few blades of grass.

 

[winjim]

What lawn, I just see mud and a few blades of grass.

You should have seen the state ofnit when we moved in. It hadn't been touched for about a year. We've just got it into a useable state.

 

[Dave 123]

Self Heal (Prunella vulgaris)

I have to disagree

That's self heal

 

[MikeG]

Just mow it regularly and feed the lawn, and whatever-the-hell it is will disappear, out competed by the grass.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

I have to disagree

View attachment 414005
That's self heal

My round I’m buying. Too quick on the draw. I agree with you.

 

[winjim]

Is the cutting the same as the 1st couple of pictures?

Yes it's the same plant.

Probably need a proper gardener but now I think it looks like ajuga reptans (burgundy glow).

Self Heal (Prunella vulgaris)

Doesn't quite look like it to me.

Probably need a proper gardener but now I think it looks like ajuga reptans (burgundy glow).

Bugle- Ajuga reptans


https://www.rhsplants.co.uk/plants/_/ajuga-reptans-atropurpurea/classid.218/

View attachment 414004

Yes, I think that's the one. Same shape flowers and same colour leaves. Now what to do about it? I'm not averse to having wild flowers on the lawn but should I try and get rid of it? I can imagine it taking over quite quickly.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Just mow it regularly and feed the lawn, and whatever-the-hell it is will disappear, out competed by the grass.

It adapts with a lower-than-blade height habit unfortunately.

 

[Dave 123]

My round I’m buying. Too quick on the draw. I agree with you.

I'll have a pint of glyphosate please.