ID needed please

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who is helping with the ID, I haven't a clue, so all offers of help appreciated..Do hate having plants and not knowing the name,its so frustrating..Probably think Jazid is right, they were pos bought from a garden centre in france,unfortunatly I will not see the people who gave them to me again, so can't be sure where they got them from.

 

I did say that Silene was a very tentative suggestion. What is really annoying me is that I have seen something very similar, but for the life of me NOTHING springs to mind. I too would love to see a close up of the flower, both front on and side on, possible?

 

Dendrobium, you may be right with Cuphea. Assuming the plants in question are little shrublets, I may have been a bit hasty previously as I have had a close examination of mine this morning. If this is true, I prefer Poppy33's as the colour is more vivid; mine is pale lavender. Perhaps Jazid will be able to confirm this.

 

I am 70% certain Cuphea is the one, but that relies on my erm..what was it now..er..umm..memory. That's the one.

 

Cuphea hyssopifolia?

 

I agree, Paustris; that's the one I have.

 

Many thanks to all those who took time to help with this ID question

 

As it happened, I had seen a lot of cuphea in B+Q the morning before I saw this question!!!!

 

There are several varieties of Cuphea .. one being the Mexican Cigar Plant which doesn't look at all like the hyssopifolia.

 

It is Cuphea hyssopifolia - an evergreen dwarf shrub from Mexico. It's a variable species in terms of flower colour, ranging from palest pink through to purple. Growing to around 60cms. high and rather more across eventually, it makes nice, dense hummocks of shiny foliage and is almost always in flower. It is reasonably hardy along this bit of the south coast, but I can't vouch for it surviving in Kent. Nice thing, easily rooted from cuttings and its size makes it easy to overwinter if you need to bring it indoors. Makes a good pot plant for a frost-free greenhouse too.

 

Thank you DaveP, I think i will chance it and get them planted out..maybe take a few cuttings, just in case.As you said it is a very nice plant..very attractive glossy foliage

 

Just a word of caution here. It doesn't seem to survive in London, and this from a man with a Jade plant growing happily in his garden for the last 7 years. I haven't grown it, but a client up the road has (tried). If they're easy to lift I would suggest it might be worth the effort. Good Luck!