What is this enormous gorgeous thing, i want one!

hallo,

walking round one of Portsmouth's gardens, this tall beautiful thing stopped me in my tracks: what is it please?
It seems to seed itself as it popped up in many places -- it is about 10 feet tall and its miriad of tiny blue flowers attract bees (this is end of may ) -- it is a lovely thing. help! what is it?

cheers, karaman

 

I may be wrong but try Echium

 

Hi @karaman , it's an Echium Pinniana.

They're biennial or rarely triennial. This means you grow them one year to flower the next ( and if you're lucky the year after that one as well).

Although they die after flowering they self seed, so after year three you should have them flowering every year.

 

thank you mazambo and KFF -- it is an echium you were right mazambo and there seem to be several varieties so i am getting one that's for sure!

thanks again, karaman