can anyone identify this plant please

D'you know, I'm not sure, but last week I noticed some of this coming up in my garden too. I'm sure I'll remember when it flowers! it looks like some kind of buttercup?

that looks to me like an Aqueligia Adam i have some in my garden just like that

Yes that's it, Aquilegia ! Mine are all the old cottage varieties known as "grannies bonnets" and range in colour from pinks, blues and violet.

thankyou all for your help, as always the people on here are great what a great site

O ul love this Plant /Flower Adam :) They self seed 2 & always surprise u with different Types&Colours :)

how big does it grow

Usually the flowers stem is 1 to 2ft. Allow about 1ft. spread for an established plant.

I get these popping up all over. They are so pretty and always a nice surprise with the colours. Enjoy!

its funny they wernt there last year

if you have been digging around adam you may have turned burried seed up to the light. this will induce their germination. does your neighbour have them. they get shaken out of a pod and can 'travel' quite a distance. I love them especially the old cottage varieties.

i have 3 growing in different parts of the bed

Thats where they have come from then. They might have been there last year as they tend to be very small in their first year. they store plenty of food in their tap root so pop up much bigger the following year. I look forward to hearing what colours you get.

They are lovely, Adam - but they do get around! I have one growing in the gravel path this year! I don't mind, though. I am waiting to see what colour it is. :-)

i agree they are very pretty and even the leaves are attractive : ))

yes it looks very much like aquilegia, theyre one of my favourites - looks like this http://SGH2274.deviantart.com/art/AQUILEGIA-1-102157721