It's viper's buglos or Echium vulgare. Big lovers of dry, poor, sandy soil.....derelict factories, duel carriageway edges are favourite spots.

Stunning colour though, i grow a slightly ornamental variety called "Blue bedder"

Thats it! I have to say this! The knowledge the goy members have is astounding!

i raised them they do self seed a lot and all of the plant is prickly

My seeds planted last summer have grown into enormous plants this year and they are strikingly beautiful. Bees love them; that's why I tried them.

Hi, thanks for your answer, they are beautiful flowers, they only appeared this year, there have been so many lovely wild flowers on the commons near to where we live this year they really are in abundance, so many Foxgloves everywhere, more than usual and the wild honeysuckle!!I wish I could bottle the wonderful smell.
Thanks again.