REALLY want to ID these two plants

Hi

I see two plants growing on grassy areas where I walk my dog, and I've got a couple of them in my lawn as well, and I'd really like to have more of them but I cannot for the life of me find what they are. They must be native plants because I certainly haven't sown them and they're definitely not geraniums or forget-me-nots. The blue one looks a little bit like a very miniature pansy.

They're no more than 5-6cm tall and the flowers are tiny, especially the blue one (which is slightly the shorter of the two).

I'd need the exact species etc as I've searched loads and can't seem to find any that match up.

Plus, if anyone knows where I could get seeds from (hoping to sow seed direct, she says hopefully)?

Many thanks!

 

Perhaps a picture?

 

The blue one is a type of speedwell.

 

Pink one looks like Geranium robertianum.

Blue is Veronica persica.

 

Speedwell is the blue and Herb Robert the pink. There are lots of types of speedwell. The most vivid blue one is Germander speedwell, and Common Field Speedwell is lighter with one paler petal. I think you have pictures of both. I have both in my garden plus thyme leaved speedwell and ivy leaved speedwell, both of which have even smaller flowers and are more pinky/purple.

 

Nicky's nursery sell the Geranium seeds
Seeds Wildflower Herb Robert Geranium robertianum

There are several nurseries who list the veronica including RP Seeds, but everywhere seems to out of stock. Possibly due to the time of year ?

 

I have one of the common speedwells/veronicas in the grass/border edges too @Escarpment. The lawnmower misses them which is useful!
Herb Robert/Geranium robertianum grows everywhere around here - verges, walls etc. If you look around in your local area, you may find some seed from spent flowers @BlackCountryGardener .

The only thing I'd say is that the flowers in your pic look very pale. H. Robert usually has quite strongly coloured flowers, so it may be another type of wild geranium.

 

Thanks for this link!

 

Thank you, I'll do some more searching.

 

We have speedwell down our allotment and it rapidly takes over any bare scrap of soil. It is easy to remove and control but it always seems to come back, probably as we don't remove it all.
We also have herb robert and it can take over as well but once again it's easy to remove.

I offer both these observations as a potential warning that if it likes your conditions you may really need to step in and control them. If they have to compete with grass then you probably won't have a problem but if they spread to your borders you might have some work to do.
There are other good natives if you wish to encourage that sort of plant into your landscape. My garden wouldn't be complete without birds foot trefoil, self heal, clovers and ox eye daisies (daisies can be quite thuggish though).

 

Thanks for this - my plan is to plant a clover + chamomile lawn, but I often see these little blue flowers (particularly) when I'm walking the dog, and just find them so pretty. Any thoughts on do how well that might work?

 

My guess is that if you don’t use weedkillers speedwell (commonly known as Birds-Eye or Eye-bright) will appear in every bare patch of soil there is … along with Scarlet Pimpernell … they’re common ‘weeds’ in cultivated soil. They’ve grown in every garden and almost every arable field I’ve ever known.

 

@BlackCountryGardener Herb Robert can take over and when you pull it it doesn't smell very nice. Speedwell is lovely and in our garden no so invasive. Our "lawn" is made up of wild flowers. We did try years ago to do a chamomile area but without success.

 

I tried a clover lawn once, but I think I got the wrong type and it grew tall and rooted deeply.

I do love speedwell flowers - so tiny and delicate, and lovely shades of blue.

 

Here's the thyme-leafed and ivy-leafed varieties, both from my garden in April.