[sclarke624]

There is a garden near ours that has a small slate front garden with mostly rockery plants.  There is one plant/flower that really stands out, I would love to know what it is.  It may not be a rockery plant.  Not very bushy but may be new this year to that garden.

It stands about 12" high and has a poker shaped flower that is a very vivid violet flower with a red flowered tip.  Can't remember what the leaves looked like.

Any ideas?

Thanks

[arugula]

It is possible that it could be a dwarf lupin? 

[sclarke624]

no doesn't look like a lupin.  I think the flowers petels are more brush bristle like.

[arugula]

Shame you can't post a picture very easily. It might look odd if you got seen photographing it!

I have a couple of small shrubs (rescue plants) where the flower petals are brush-like as you describe and point upwards rather than downwards like a red hot poker, but these flowers are also red. Its the purple colour which sounds intruiging....

[mumofstig]

is it Liatris (common name Blazing Star) 

http://www.devinenurseriesonline.co.uk/ekmps/shops/devinenurseries/resources/Image/liatris.jpg

[catllar]

Could it be primula vialli (leaves will look like primrose leaf)?   apparently it is commonly known as the chinese pagoda primrose

[sclarke624]

No Mum not blazing star afraid.
Prize goes to catlar well done I'll buy you a pie and mash but think it might get ruined in the post to France.  Just went past it again today and probably my description of brush bristles wasn't quite right. LOL
Primula vialli.

Thanks

[tosca100]

I'd go with primula. The trouble is it doesn't like it dry.

[catllar]

No Mum not blazing star afraid.
Prize goes to catlar well done I'll buy you a pie and mash but think it might get ruined in the post to France.  Just went past it again today and probably my description of brush bristles wasn't quite right. LOL
Primula vialli.

Thanks

You are very welcome - Oh pie and mash yuuuummmmm! I'll hold you to the pie and mash (with liquor) next time I'm back in UK!