It sounds like a Stock. They come in a range of colors and have 2 different flower heads, sort of a drumstick shape and a more open shape. The flowers look very much like Phlox. It is a biennial. There is also Evening stocks but they are annual, the flowers do not get as big but they are more fragrant, the scent fills the yard after a rain or in the evening. If it is in a bed the seeds pods will seed themselves and you should get more. If you deadhead they will bloom throughout the summer although the flower heads tend to be smaller and less prolific. One of my must have box plants because of the scent and usually not bothered by bugs. The evening stocks can actually be overpowering if they are heavily planted. Hope this helps

thanks squirelette. I was wondering if it was a Stock - I just didn't think they got that big!!!! Unfortuntely I cut it down already and won't have any seed pods unless it comes back a second time. Happy gardening.

Long skinny needle shaped seed pods, sounds like Dame's Rocket (Hesperis matronalis) to me.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Well it looks like Dame's Rocket is the winner after looking at the online images, thank-you Crazy Gardener. It was posted as an invasive weed in some areas but it did give the garden some nice color early on.

I agree, it's really pretty and it blooms early and it CAN be invasive. However, just cut back most of the seed pods, you only need a few to self seed.

Sharon