It is a variety of Echium. It comes is several colors often seen in the wild in a dazzling purple.

Echium pininana

Common names are: Tower of Jewels or 'Pride of Tenerife'

it's a member of the Borage family that is native to the Canary Islands. Downside is that can be invasive (lots of little plants the next year...)

I love borage. I let it self sow in the backyard. The flowers are great in salad.

Crazy thought, but have you ever witnessed a large sunflower dying off? It is almost human the way they hang their heads and slowly crouch over. Echium can be equally as sorrowful.

this reminds me of the little pink cactus i bought at home depot last week. does anyone know how often to water? will it grow?