Slender speedwell

I love blue flowers, being especially fond of speedwells. Germander speedwell Veronica chamaedrys has the brightest blue flowers, but I think the most attractive is slender speedwell Veronica filiformis, whose flowers are a softer shade, with a pale bottom petal and delicate veining, which appear to float at the end of a long, thread-like stalk.

This Caucasian invader was introduced into Britain as a garden plant in Victorian times , but its creeping habit and ability to root easily from small fragments, means that it's now widespread in various types of mown grassland, including lawns and churchyards. It's very abundant in parts of Ferry Meadows - I think I may have to acquire some cuttings to introduce into our lawn - it's certainly much prettier than grass!