Aconite, Monkshood

Difficult plants to grow in most of the South, as they dislike extended summer heat, drought, and mild winters. Sow seeds in moist, fertile, well-drained soil in late summer or autumn for flowers the following year. Seedlings started in spring may take a year to bloom. Aconite combines effectively with hosta, ferns, meadow rue (Thalictrum), and astilbe in lightly shaded gardens; it can also substitute for delphinium in shade. Plants are seldom browsed by deer.

• Native to central China.
• Densely foliaged plant 24 feet high, nearly as wide.
• Leathery, dark green leaves are lobed and coarsely toothed.
• Blooms from late summer into fall; deep purple-blue flowers form dense, branching clusters 48 inches long.
• Selections of the Wilsonii group grow 68 feet high and 12 feet wide, has more open flower clusters 1018 inches long.
• 'Arendsii' grows 2-4 feet high, blooms azure blue, and may be the best for the South.

• Native to Europe.
• Upright, leafy plants 25 feet high, up to 1 feet wide.
• Leaves 25 inches wide, divided into narrow lobes.
• Spikelike clusters of typically blue or violet flowers in late summer.

• The following grow to about 312 feet tall, 1 feet wide.
• Leaves are deeply cut.

• Upright plant with deep violet blossom spikes from midsummer to early fall.
• Glossy, dark green leaves.

• White flowers edged in bluish purple; early summer bloom.
• Glossy, deep green leaves.

• Steel blue flowers in loosely branched spikes bloom in midsummer.
• Dark grayish green leaves.