It's interesting how the same plant grows differently from year to year. Red Valerian (Centranthus ruber) seems to be growing particularly tall and upright this year. The flowers have been redder than usual -almost crimson- and only now are taking on the more typical pinkish hue. 

 It's not just the one in the front garden (above). I've been noticing the same phenomenon wherever I see C. ruber, presumably triggered by some variation in ambient growing conditions. Perhaps it has enjoyed the recent run of summer droughts being a plant of Mediterranean origins.