Can anyone identify this, please?

[peanuts]

Last autumn we were digging over our daughter's allotment in Leeds.  The next-door plot was being given up, and the lady pressed me to take some small seedlings from a special flowering plant.  She told me the name, but of course I've forgotten it! She didn't like the thought of it being dug over and lost for ever, by the next plot-holder.  I planted them in in our daughter's garden. They kept their leaves all winter, and are now starting to flower.  They are about a foot tall. Can anyone identify it, please?

[peanuts]

[markfield rover]

Cerinthe I think!

[Obelixx]

Cerinthe major purpurascens aka honeywort.  An annual that will self seed if happy.

[peanuts]

Thank you so much for the identification!  Definitely that, no question.  Now I've read more about it, I'll try and grab some seeds when they are ripe so as to get it growing here in SW France .

[antipodes]

Yep, known as the purple honeywort. They self seed like mad, they are very hardy, mine are in flower now. The bees and bumble bees love them. They grow very well here in France and they are not fussy about the state of the ground.

[pigeonseed]

Yes - they're lovely! Very tough little beggars too, don't seem to need any help.