Can anyone identify please?

[PhilR]

Hi,
Our unkempt garden is about to undergo some much needed landscaping and tlc we have a lot of clay and it stays quite wet. We have recently seen a huge amount of this taking hold. Can anyone identify please? Thanks

 

[Scott F]

My sources, (iPhone plant identification feature) says it’s called Speedwell

 

[PhilR]

Thank you. I will employ the help of Google and have a look.

 

[Owdboggy]

Looks like Vinca (Periwinkle). Can be very vigorous in damp shade. Easy enough to pull out as the roots are not that deep,

 

[PhilR]

Many thanks. All help greatly appreciated.

 

[Kariha]

I would say that it's Vinca too. Can run riot if left to itself.

 

[PhilR]

Thank you.

 

[MiTmite9]

Looks like Vinca (Periwinkle). Can be very vigorous in damp shade. Easy enough to pull out as the roots are not that deep,

Thank you.

Doesn't look like any Vinca/Periwinkle I've ever seen. At least not here in the US.
Does this sound like your plants' leaves:
"Oblong to ovate leaves are opposite, simple, ½ to 2 inches long, glossy, with a short petiole. They exude a milky juice when broken."

Or do the leaves look more like Common Speedwell:
"Leaves are opposite, ½ to 2 inches long, hairy on both surfaces, toothed around the edges, oval-elliptic to egg-shaped, blunt to rounded at the tip, and tapering at the base to a short, hairy stalk."

 

[PhilR]

Doesn't look like any Vinca/Periwinkle I've ever seen. At least not here in the US.
Does this sound like your plants' leaves:
"Oblong to ovate leaves are opposite, simple, ½ to 2 inches long, glossy, with a short petiole. They exude a milky juice when broken."

Or do the leaves look more like Common Speedwell:
"Leaves are opposite, ½ to 2 inches long, hairy on both surfaces, toothed around the edges, oval-elliptic to egg-shaped, blunt to rounded at the tip, and tapering at the base to a short, hairy stalk."

Hi. Thanks. I'll have a look when I'm next free.

 

[Owdboggy]

Had another closer look and think my initial id was wrong. Looks more like one of the Veronicas than as Vinca. Same comment applies, it can be a real thug where happy.

 

[PhilR]

Many thanks everyone. I'm working away at the moment but when I'm back shortly I will make the effort and get some close up photos and also see how it weeps etc as suggested when cut. Thanks again everyone.

 

[SagetheMage]

Hello all... New here

My best guess is it does indeed look like speedwell. European speedwell to be specific. But also looks like it could be pennyroyal which is in the mint family. Both will completely take over an area if left to its own wiles. I believe in either case (someone correct me if I'm wrong) you're gonna have to dig it up and make sure you got all of it or it's gonna continue come back.
I've had issues with mint before. Me neighbors planted some on the side of their house. I told them it would take over the space between the houses but they thought they could keep it in check. Long story short, it took over and I helped them dig it up twice. I moved after that so no idea if the second dig up did it in but yea. Definitely grab a shovel on your way home.
Hope that was helpful.

 

[PhilR]

Very much so thank you.