Identification: Help, does anyone know what this plant is?

We just moved into a new house and our garden is starting to grow. I'm having a hard time identifying all of the plants, one in particular. It started as a small spiky looking bush and has grown into a tall spiky looking bush. It has multiple stems that look tubular with thin spiky leaves that cover each stem. Foliage started out green, turned grey and now looks like it has a purple tint. Recently the top of each stem has grown significantly and looks like a spear with purple flowers.

After searching the internet I thought it might be lavender, but the foliage is completely wrong.

I only have one picture and it was taken approximately 3 weeks ago when it looked like it was dying. I moved it into the sun and now the leaves stick straight out from each stem.

Does anyone have any idea what this is?

oh... I broke a stem a few days ago and it turns out it's hollow.

Thanks for your help...

 

Yikes, I have those everywhere in my garden. I planted some a few years ago, they were a proven award-winner I recall, but cant remember the name. They spread and are very hardy. If I find the name somewhere I will let you know.
Marianne

 

Linaria purpurea.