Gotta be a Salvia of some description, surely - its rather like a plain pink version of Hot Lips...

Yes that looks just about right, thanks Bamboo. I've now googled and found many red/pink ones.

Funny I've never come across them before. I see not hardy so probably no use for the Czech Republic

I'd imagine not - but Salvia hot lips is hardy in London, even through last winter.

its one of the Salvia microphylla forms. I have one that is plain red called Newby Hall. hardy for 6 yrs then last winter saw the parent plant off. luckily I had cuttings in the greenhouse.

I like it a lot - is it any good in a large container? We plan to move sometime next year and I am hoping for a patio garden, no lawn this time. That will be just north of London so might be hardy there...

And is it unusual for it to be flowering so prolifically at this time of the year?

i had some in a pot for a few years. they do well. as for flowering then this is not unusual as it seems. the cold air knocks it back.

Certainly can't be considered unusual this year - some apple trees are in flower, plus lots of other plants.

Salvia microphylla, but not the 'hot lips' variety which is pink and white. Both are still in full flower in the west midlands. Found they always flower until the first hard frosts, when it starts to die back, and then should be cut down for next year.

Ive just planted a big drift of salvia microphylla 'cerro potosi'. Hardy and flowers all summer.

Could be yours.

We have the pink and white growing and in flower at Upper Sheringham ..I want one or two

The picture looks like a nice example of Salvia x 'Maraschino', which is sort of 'Hot Lips' older brother.

Hayloft Plants, on the web, have a huge selection of salvia available. I have used them before and can vouch for excellent service and good quality plants.