What is this please?

I cut it back in November and it's regrown already. It has long stalks growing out of it with a lareg blue-ish flower on the end.

 

Hi Louise. It looks like an Acanthus, and its looking very healthy! There seem to be two main ones - A.mollis which has soft leaves, and A. spinosus which has spikey leaves.

I have one in a pot, as they can be a bit invasive. They are very difficult to kill; they grow from root cuttings so if you dig it out but leave a bit of root behind it will grow again from the bit of root.

Having said that I think they are lovely.

 

I agree it looks like acanthus, but mine is totally leafless now due to frost, infact I find mine is herbaceous so leaves like that suggest a mild climate.

 

Thanks again Peter.
I only caught the end of it in flower ( new house) and went around pruning everything in sight. I was surprised that it came back so quickly, but it's new leaves add a bit of bright green colour , it's not in a bad spot and it's interesting so it will stay.

 

Pete, you are quite right and more observant than me. I couldn't understand why it was looking so healthy, and I now see Louise is in Brittany.

Louise, Its a lovely plant and well worth keeping. It might need a bit of watering if it gets very dry. They have tap roots and won't die from lack of water, but they can get Mildew, which is often caused by stress from lack of water.

 

Louise, it`s Acanthus mollis.:gnthb:

 

Bears Breeches for the common name... lovely plant, hope you have seen the flowers too, such stunning spikes of flowers....
I have the Acanthus spinosus, a bit more painful than your one!!

 

Thank you. Sorry for the delay in replying just changed internet provider!