Solved What are these purple perennial beauties?

I just love this plant...the detail is just exquisite...see pics below.
Purple ones ...Linaria purpurea.



Pink ones........Linaria purpurea Canon Went.


White ones......Linaria Purpurea Springfield White.

Linaria 'Springside White' - The Beth Chatto Gardens

 

@Silver surfer Well, I was starting to hate them because I had to clear a load of the purple ones from my allotment, but you're making me appreciate their beauty after looking at those photos! Any ideas on the species of Nepeta which Sian posted?

Incidentally, what's that interesting flower in the photo that you have as your avatar?

Nick

 

[/QUOTE]"Nikolaos, post: 1224486, member: 23167"]@Silver surfer Well, I was starting to hate them because I had to clear a load of the purple ones from my allotment, but you're making me appreciate their beauty after looking at those photos! Any ideas on the species of Nepeta which Sian posted?

Incidentally, what's that interesting flower in the photo that you have as your avatar?

Nick[/QUOTE]
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1. Linaria purpurea is a bit of a weed but so delicate that I just allow it to seed everywhere.
The bees adore it.

2. Sorry I thought catmint had been sorted.
I am not good on Nepeta...but think it matches Nepeta x faaassenii.
Super clear pics on this link.

Catmint (Garden) / Garden Catmint - Wild Flower Finder


3. Avatar.
Goodness another plant I adore...it is a deciduous shrub ... Edgeworthia chrysantha.

Sadly too cold up here present garden to grow it.
The buds will be forming on the end of the branches now.
They sit there all through winter.
(Just as hazel catkins do)
Come spring the tiny flowers start to open...on the leafless branches
In Japan they used to use the bark to make high quality paper.
I have even seen a book printed on the paper.
The branches are so supple you can tie them in knots.

See also link at bottom.




Edgeworthia chrysantha. - Google Search

 

Pretty Plants? A bit boring... Prolific..ammm... picturesque... potential keepers.. (no, that would be Potential Peepers, not so good...) ?

how about Pussypower? I hear it's a very trendy word about to make it's debut into Oxford's dictionary. It sort of embraces the fertility side of things I guess, especially if your plants in the thread turn out to be weeds.

I'll find the Perfect P for you. If I don't get enough sleep tonight it's your fault Sian.

 

Thanks @Silver surfer!

Ooh, sounds a tad invasive for my garden at home, but might have to let it do its own thing on my allotment's ornamental area now I know the bees love it!

Aha! I thought Nepeta racemosa but the one in Sian's photo seems taller, so I think you're right!

What a lovely flower form! I particularly like the red type, it looks amazing in the sunlight! Thanks for all the photos and info, completely unfamiliar with this shrub.

Nick