Can anyone identify this plant?

This is my first spring living in my current location and there are these plants popping up all over the back garden. Judging by their appearance I would have guessed they were weeds, but their precise location along the borders would say otherwise. I am tempted to pull them all up but thought I'd come here for some advice before I do anything!

 

I think it's "brunnera" which I love for the true blueness of its flowers. Lovely little heralder of the Spring border.

 

Thank you, perhaps they would look better without the holes all over the leaves. If anyone has advice for that too it would be appreciated!

 

I believe it is Omphalodes verna rather than Brunnera macrophylla.
The base of the leaves in Brunnera are very different. See last link.



http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=omphalodes+verna&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1280&bih=647&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=eVFvT5neH8iM8gO4wLHBDQ

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Boraginaceae_-_Omphalodes_verna-6.JPG

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http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=brunnera+macrophylla&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1280&bih=647&tbm=isch&tbnid=NxhD_KFiWYKNBM:&imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Brunnera_macrophylla.jpg&docid=DtcksywC2QLeZM&imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Brunnera_macrophylla.jpg&w=2272&h=1704&ei=S1JvT-3uIMiv8API4qzbDQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=320&vpy=180&dur=1101&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=126&ty=118&sig=105050878957448920657&page=1&tbnh=125&tbnw=174&start=0&ndsp=19&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0


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http://www.soquelnursery.com/images/brunnera_macrophylla2.JPG

 

Hi Sandra,

Long time no see, you settled in now?

Looks like catterpillar rather than slug damage, have a root around for him.

 

Just to throw another one into the mix, I think it might be Green Alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens).

http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk/alkanet.htm

I've got a few of these popping up around my garden, they prefer a shady, damp spot and don't seem to spread to any other parts of the garden where these conditions are not met.
Unless they're crowding out something else I leave them where they are for their attractive blue flowers in spring, which help to brighten up a dark corner.
If you do want to get rid of them, you'll have to dig them up. The roots are quite tough and you won't get rid of them by simply pulling them out. Wear gloves too, as the leaves are very hairy and bristly.

 

There are a lot of Green Alkanets near where Sandra lives, I used to live there too.

 

I think you are right there Trunky. Looks more like Alkanet to me too.

 

Wow I step away for a little while and come back to find all these replies - it's great! Well regardless what they are I'm assuming they are not weeds! Looking at all the possiblities listed here I think they are probably alkanet. They do seem to be spreading a bit even though the area they are growing is covered with gravel and the leaves do feel bristly. The back garden is north facing with quite a bit of shade.
They aren't the least bit attractive in my opinion. Caterpillers? Would they be active this early in the year? I see quite a few snail shells laying amongst the gravel as well.
Ziggy yes pretty well settled now - still sorting out both the front and back garden though!
I am still tempted to dig these up......

 

They only really come into there own when part of a wildflower border with Campions, Cow Parsley & similar.

I've had to hoik a few Catterpillars off things already this year, but if you've got snail shells then it could well be them.

 

Update....I removed all the alkanet and the back garden looks much improved. A deciding factor was when a neighbour commented on all the weeds we had!