Plant of the week

AUTUMN MONKSHOOD ACONITUM CARMICHAELII (ROYAL FLUSH)

THIS late plant has three attributes. The attractive spring leaves are bronze when young. They turn green for summer and from early autumn, spires of rich blue, hooded flowers appear. As these mature, the leaves change again, to old gold. Autumn monkshoods flower best in full sun or partial shade. They prefer rich soil which stays moist. Most varieties of A. carmichaelii grow tall but ‘Royal Flush’ is more compact, reaching 50 to 75cm. For a taller variety, try the metrehigh A. carmichaelii ‘Arendsii’.