Bristly-ox Tongue

Picris echioides

General Information: Bristly ox-tongue is a dandelion type weed which is both annual and biennial.

It is not often found  in well maintained lawns, it is more confined to general purpose and neglected lawns.

The weed forms as a basal plant and will adapt to tolerate close mowing if needed.

However it can reach a height of 1 metre if left alone and allowed to grow.

Leaf: Bristly ox-tongue has long narrow oblong shaped leaves.

Each leaf has many whitish swollen pimples which are rough and bristly, which can cause some irritation and discomfort when handled.

The weed takes it name from the characteristics of the leaves.

Flowers: Bristly ox-tongue flowers are can be seen from June to September, as it produces clusters of yellow Dandelion type  flowers.

Each flower is capable of reaching up to 25mm in diameter.

Habitat: Bristly ox-tongue will grow on a wide range of soil types. However it is usually confined to bare ground and neglected areas of turf.

Control: Hand weed any individual plants. For a large infestation a selective herbicide will have to be used.

Use a selective weed killer containing a mixture of 2,4-D, Dicamba and Mecoprop-p, repeat again 6 weeks later if necessary.

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Cats Ear

Hypochaeris radicata

General - Cats Ear has a perennial lifecycle and is a problem weed on all types of lawn.

It grows in a prostate rosette type appearance and will quite happily tolerate close mowing.

Cats Ear has some similarities with the Dandelion in its appearance.

However the leaves on Cats Ear are hairy and the lobes are more rounded.

Leaves - The lance shaped leaves are hairy and irregularly lobed. They form in a rosette appearance.

Flowers - Cats Ear flowers are similar to those of the Dandelion but smaller in size. They can be seen between May to September

Roots - Cats Ear has a deep tap root.

Habitat -This weed can grow on a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers sandy free draining soils.

Cultural Control - Hand weeding Cats Ear can be effective, however make sure the whole root is removed or it can regenerate.

Mow the lawn regularly and remove the clippings to prevent flower and seed head formation.

Maintain turf nutrition with a balanced fertiliser program, this will encourage a healthy vigorous sward that will discourage weed invasion.

Chemical Control - Cats Ear can be controlled using a weed killer. Choose a selective weed killer that contains 2,4-D and mecoprop-p or 2,4-D and dicamba or clopyralid and fluroxypyr.

Any of these formulations should be effective against Cats Ear, however a further application maybe needed for satisfactory results.

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Autumn Hawkbit

Leontodon autumnalis

General - Autumn Hawkbit is a perennial weed that grows in a rosette formation, it is generally not a serious problem on mown lawns and turf.

It is more common in longer grass such as roadside verges and meadows.

Leaves - The leaves are very narrow with deep lobes, however the leaves can vary between plants and can sometimes be confused with those of Cats Ear.

Flowers - Autumn Hawkbit flowers are similar to those of Dandelion but smaller in size. The yellow flowers can be seen between July and October.

Roots - Autumn Hawkbit has a tap root.

Habitat - Autumn Hawkbit can tolerate a wide range of conditions, especially poorly drained soils.

Cultural Control - The weed can be physically removed by hand weeding, taking great care to remove all of the root.

Encourage a thick sward of grass to prevent any weeds taking advantage of any weak or thin areas on the lawn.

Chemical Control - If chemicals are to be used spot treatment is an ideal option for Autumn Hawkbit control.

Choose a selective weed killer that contains 2,4-D and mecoprop-p, a further application may be necessary about 6 weeks later to control this weed.

Selective weed killers should be applied when the weeds are actively growing usually between April and September.

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Mouse-ear Chickweed

Cerastium holosteoides

General - Mouse-ear Chickweed is a short lived perennial weed that forms a dense mat in lawns and turf.

This prostate growing weed can easily tolerate close mowing.

Leaves - The tiny oblong leaves have pointed tips, they are very fleshy and covered with hairs.

Flowers - The small flowers on Mouse-ear Chickweed have 5 white petals.

Each petal is deeply notched, giving it the appearance of 10 petals.

Flowers can be seen between April and November.

Roots - Mouse-ear Chickweed has a shallow fibrous root system.

Habitat - The weed can tolerate most conditions but prefers areas that are shaded and moist.

Cultural Control - Hand weed before infestation becomes widespread. Slashing at the weed or raking the weed into an upright position prior to mowing may help weaken the weed.

Maintain the health of the lawn to help discourage weed invasion.

Chemical Control - If you go down the chemical weed killer route, consider spot treating the weed if the problem is fairly localised.

Mouse-ear Chickweed is susceptible to most weed killers and is usually controlled in one a single application.

For the best results apply weed killers when the weeds are actively growing usually between April and September.

It is important to follow the manufactures health and safety guidelines when applying chemicals to lawns.

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Common Chickweed

Stellaria media

General - Common Chickweed is an annual weed and is not usually a problem on closely mown luxury lawns.

It is mainly confined to neglected utility lawns, grassy areas and areas of bare soil that has been disturbed.

However it can be a nuisance on newly seeded lawns before the grass has had sufficient time to establish.

Leaves - Common Chickweed has pairs of heart shaped leaves bourn on short stalks.

Flowers - Similar to those of Mouse-ear Chickweed, the small flowers have 5 white petals which are deeply lobed, giving the appearance of 10 petals. common Chickweed flowers between February and November.

Roots - Common Chickweed has a slender tap root.

Habitat - Common Chickweed is usually confined to areas of neglected turf or newly sown lawns.

Cultural Control - Common Chickweed will only cause problems on new lawns that have not had sufficient time to establish, once regular mowing commences it should eventually disappear.

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Parsley Piert

Aphanes arvensis

General - Parsley Piert is an annual lawn weed, which is very common in closely mown areas of turf, as it spreads it forms in small clusters in the lawn.

The weed is often an indicator of mowing too closely, coupled with a nutrient deficiency (lack of fertiliser) in the lawn.

Leaves - The small fan shaped leaves of Parsley Piert has 3 deeply toothed lobes.

Flowers - Parsley Piert flowers between May and September, the tiny green flowers which are barely noticeable, form at the base of the leaves.

Habitat - The weed thrives in sandy, free draining soils, especially those which are deficient in nutrients.

Cultural Control - Hand weeding can prove effective for a small number of plants. Avoid mowing the lawn to close as this stresses the turf, which in turn creates thin, weak and even bare areas where this weed can invade.

Apply adequate nutrition with a balanced fertiliser program, this will help keep the lawn thick and healthy and discourage weeds.

Chemical Control - Parsley Piert is a difficult weed to control with selective weed killers.

If you go down the chemical route a mixture of 2,4-D and dicamba or alternatively a mixture of fluroxypry and clopyralid will be the most effective against Parsley Piert.

However repeat applications will most likely be needed for effective control.

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Procumbent Pearlwort

Sagina procumbens

General - Procumbent Pearlwort is a perennial weed which forms as a low growing mat. It can be quite troublesome in closely mown turf as it tolerates closely mown lawns.

It can be a difficult weed to identify as it is sometimes confused with moss. Leaves - The leaves of Procumbent Pearlwort are small and narrow.

Flowers - The small flowers have either white or green petals and are bourn on a thin stalk. Pearlwort flowers between May and September.

Roots - Procumbent Pearlwort has a fibrous root system.

Habitat - Procumbent Pearlwort can thrive in all soil types, especially moist conditions where the grass is mown very short.

Cultural Control - Hand weeding may be effective for a few plants. Keeping the grass in a healthy condition via feeding, aeration and regular mowing at a sensible height will help prevent any thin or bare areas in the lawn.
 
Chemical Control - Ideally stay on top of this weed with the cultural methods as it is a difficult weed to control with chemicals.

However if it has become widespread choose a selective weed killer containing mixtures of 2,4-D and mecoprop-p or 2,4-D and dicamba or clopyralid and fluroxypyr.

A further application will be needed to control this weed. For the best results selective weed killers should be applied during periods of active growth usually between April and September.

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Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

General - Yarrow also known as Milfoil is a perennial weed and is troublesome on all types of lawn and turf.

Yarrow can survive long periods of drought, it spreads by underground runners and seed.

Once established it can spread quickly and it also tolerates close mowing.

Leaves - Yarrow has feathery, fern like leaves that give off a fragrant smell when they are crushed.

Flowers - The flowers are a white or pale colour and form on the end of stems in dense clusters. Yarrow flowers between June and October.

Roots - Yarrow has a fibrous root system with many rhizomes which help the weed establish and spread.

Habitat - Yarrow prefers soils that are dry and deficient in nutrients. Yarrow is often a good indicator of nutrient deficiency (low fertility).

Cultural Control - Yarrow can be physically removes by hand weeding taking care to remove all of the roots. Regularly mowing the lawn will help stop the weed producing seed heads.

Raking the weed prior to mowing will help stand up the lateral growth and weaken the weed.
Ensure the lawn receives adequate nutrition as this will encourage a thick lawn and help prevent any Yarrow problems.

Chemical Control - Yarrow is going to be difficult to control using chemicals as it is resistant to many selective weed killers.

If go down the chemical route choose a product that contains 2,4-D & mecoprop-p or 2,4-D & dicamba. Repeat applications will be needed and success may be limited.

Alternatively you may want to call in a professional lawn care specialist with the relevant pesticide application certificates.

They may have access to professional weed killers used in the sports turf industry. These are more effective than the weed killers that are available to the amateur gardener.

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Silverweed

Potentilla anserina

General - Silverweed is a perennial weed that is generally confined to neglected lawns, it is rarely a problem on a well maintained lawn.

It is often confused with Creeping Cinquefoil as the leaves are similar. Silverweed spreads by creeping stems which root at intervals.

Leaves - The underside of the leaves are covered with fine white hairs giving them a silvery colour. The leaves contain up to 14 leaflets, all with toothed edges.

Flowers - Silverweed flowers have 5 petals and can be seen between the months of May and August.

Roots - This weed has a fibrous root system.

Habitat - Silverweed can grow in all types of soil conditions where the turf has been neglected.

Cultural Control - Raking the weed prior to mowing will stand up and cut off the runners weakening the weed.

Repeat this method each time you mow the lawn and it should soon disappear. Keeping the lawn in healthy condition will help suppress all common lawn weeds.

Chemical Control - Silverweed can be a difficult weed to control using a selective weed killer. As with Creeping Cinquefoil the cultural methods of control should be effective against this weed.

If you go down the chemical route choose a product containing mixtures of (2,4-D and mecoprop-p) or (2,4-D and dicamba) or (clopyralid, fluroxypyr and MCPA). A repeat application will be needed to effectively control Silverweed.

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Creeping Cinquefoil

Potentilla reptans

General - Creeping Cinquefoil is a perennial weed mainly confined to neglected lawns and longer areas of grass or turf.

It is not a problem on luxury lawns which are mown on a regular basis. It can sometimes be confused with Silverweed as the leaves are quite similar.

Leaves - The leaves consist of 5 leaflets which are toothed. They are very similar to strawberry leaves.

Flowers - The yellow flowers have 5 heart shaped petals. Creeping Cinquefoil flowers between June and September.


Habitat - Creeping Cinquefoil is often found in dry neglected areas.

Cultural Control - Raking the weed prior to mowing will severely weaken the weed and remove the creeping stems. This process should eventually eradicate the weed from the lawn.

Chemical Control - Creeping Cinquefoil is not a major problem on luxury lawns that are mown frequently. It is mainly confined to utility lawns that have been neglected. before reaching for the chemical bottle consider the cultural control methods.

If however you are intent on using chemicals use a product that contains (2,4-D and mecoprop-p) or (2,4-D and dicamba )or a mixture of (clopyralid, fluroxypyr and MCPA).

More than one application may be needed to control this weed. Selective weed killers are most effective during periods of strong growth usually between April and September.

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