I'm afraid I can't id it for you but for future reference the Name That Plant Forum is the best place to start to look for identities. Also it is really helpful to have foliage in the picture, a sense of scale, an indication of where and when it was growing and whether it was in a garden or in the wild.

That said I am sure someone here will know it. (You're right. It is definitely not Lavender.)

Here is a link that might be useful: Name That Plant

WAG.. purple loosestrife..

the invasive one ...

verify that

ken

It could be any number of plants from loosestrife to delphinium ---- it helps to have leaves attached.

Maybe a Veronica, try the other forum and let us know how it turns out.

Doesn't look like any of the Veronica spicata cultivars (at least) I'm familiar with (below the flowering part).

Agree with Ken - looks very much like purple loosestrife.

I don't think this is purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). That doesn't leave the stigma behind when the petals drop and the unopened buds look wrong.

Pictures of the foliage, the habit and an in focus, clear view of a flower and bud would really help.

If it is very erect it may be obedient plant, Physostegia virginiana

Re Florauk re purple loosestrife:

Top 'Rosy Gem' and bottom 'Morden Pink'.

Think I've changed my mind.

It could also be a salvia, either 'May Night' or Cara Donna'. Need to see foliage pics.

It could also be a salvia, either 'May Night' or Cara Donna'. Need to see foliage pics.

As MulchMama says, need the pictures from Tawnybee.

But below, the tail-end of 'Caradonna' (bottom) and 'Mainacht' (May Night).(top).

Not great picture, but different.

Also, where did it come from, etc.?

What does the foliage look like? Could it be purple toadflax, Linaria purpurea?

It isn't Linaria purpurea- the stem/foliage on those are pretty glaucus. Plus the flowers are distinctly snapdragon-like ;-)

While I've never seen a purple loosestrife in real life, I always thought the flowers were "fatter"?

I'm fairly certain it IS a Veronica. Could be a Veronicastrum if the whole head (with side shoots of flowers) wasn't picked. My bet still goes with Veronica though ;-) I've noticed the flower density/how close packed the flowers are really differs from cultivar to cultivar. It always seems the longifolia types are longer and "sparse" looking somehow.

Pic below of my 'Red Fox' Veronica to show how the stigmas are left behind. Link shows it on Veronicastrum...
CMK

Here is a link that might be useful: Veronicastrum

Picture certainly looks similar.

From memory, I'd have said not Veronicastrum virginicum.

Unfortunately have already cut them back.

However, picture of 'Lavendelturm' (Lavender Towers: in the reference picture) in our garden in July.

.

This post was edited by SunnyBorders on Sun, Aug 25, 13 at 1:39