What is this gorgeous outdoor plant?

[BecksBristol]

Spotted this in a garden when I was walking with a friend (SW England). We knocked on the door to ask but no-one was in. Does anyone know what it is?
It has tiny pale purple flowers and looks very exotic, almost tropical. The picture really doesn't do it justice. There's a smaller one growing up too in the background.

Could it be an Echium?

It's an echium pininana. Very cool. My parents grew them from seed in Anglesey.

hayloft.co.uk/category/echium

Yes, Echium - they are fairly hardy in the southwest, but not for the majority of us, unfortunately.

Grow in southeast too. Bees love them!

A triffid - don’t get too close!

It’s an Echium.
Bloody ugly thing though the flowers are impressive.

Agree, it's an echium. I'm in London and tried to grow one in my not very sunny garden, inspired by seeing some at the Chelsea Physic Garden. It didn't last long!

They self seed like crazy in the right place - I've seen them in the south west and the Channel Islands.

Thank you all! Oh, I think it's beautiful. I'm going to research them and then surprise my friend with one at the right time for planting.

Yes, it's an echium. Plant World in Torbay specialises in them if you are in that part of the SW. They are both a public garden and nursery.

Thank you chesirecat