Aconitum ‘Bressingham Spire’

Also called monkshood because of the shape of the flowers, Aconitum has been grown as a garden plant for centuries. It produces tall flowering spikes about a meter high, and it is great lateflowering plant, coming into bloom at the end of August and continuing into November.

It is easy to grow and trouble free and fully hardy. Aconitum is a herbaceous perennial and as it dies back in winter, cut the stems to the ground. Grow it in light shade in soil that is moist and freely drained. It can look wonderful at the back of a border; support the flowering stems with bamboo canes to keep them upright. My favourite variety of Aconitum is ‘Bressingham Spire’ which looks fabulous with its dark blue hooded flower spikes.

When working with this plant, wear garden gloves as every part of it is poisonous. This is worth considering if children are using the garden.