Aconitum

The late summer perennial Aconitum gets a pretty bad write-up in most gardening books. Of course, its sap is poisonous.

It has been used throughout the ages for what my book of garden perennials describes as 'deliberate poisoning'. Eeek!

What's in a Name?

Aconitum also has the common name Monkshood. The hooded blue flowers have quite a dramatic look, and do look like hoods when seen close-up.

Another name for Aconitum in my gardening book is Wolfsbane. I'm not sure what this signifies - is it possibly a reference to being poisonous? This is certainly a colourful perennial, as far as names go!

Deep Blue Flowers

Aconitum has beautiful deep blue flowers which appear in late summer and stay blooming throughout autumn. At this time of year blue flowers are very welcome - blue is my favourite colour.

In fact, from a distance Aconitum looks like a medium sized blue delphinium. At least it dies for head gardeners with dodgy eyesight who don't wear their spectacles in the garden!

I grow a patch of Aconitum in the house garden, and the flowering coincides with the second flush of my Mary roses. It's a pretty combination.