Apparently, you can't kill this; it's indestructible.It grows everywhere in the UK, railway sidings, motorway refuges, roadside verges, everywhere. I've long wondered if that was why JRR Tolkien said in Lord of The Rings that Aragorn's sword, Andúril, (Flame of the West), was made from Valerian Steel that was re-forged as it was supposedly indestructible.
That said, last Spring I had 10 of these plants in my back garden; this Spring, none, all had died in the drought of last Summer.
I managed to find 4 new plants in a local garden centre and have planted them out and they've just recently come into flower. I've also bought 500 seeds from Amazon which I shall plant out next Spring. Was interested to read the reviews on Amazon, only the one, that basically said "do not buy this product; this plant is excessively invasive and will take over your garden as it is impossible to control" Not in my garden obviously.
Did not realize you too suffered from a drought.
Nice capture and dof
fav