Acanthus...possibly spinosus or mollis

Thank you so much my daughter will be thrilled.

Introduced by the Romans I believe.

Beware they don't take over your garden. I've been digging up mine for 2 years now.

They have a wonderful flower.

Any piece of root left in the ground will grow into new plant, but if you keep on it, they will eventually give up.

I have Acanthus very striking, I have very heavy clay soil so it does not prove a problem spreading, but it does need to be at the back of your border where it will need support I usually put metal supports and bind it to stop it flopping over and smothering other plants.It has quite prickly leaves to overhang your path and grows quite large and bushy. The common name is Bear's Breeches. If you Google Acanthus Brear's Britches/Pictures you will see how large and beautiful a plant it is as a spectacle in the garden.

It didn't get large or spectacular for me and never flowered either - but it took three years at least to get rid of it...

Thank you to all who replied. Very good to know.