Monkshood

Monkshood (Aconitum) - Tall and handsome herbaceous plants, of the Buttercup order, dangerous from their poisonous roots. There are many names, but not so many species of value for our gardens. They should not be planted where the roots could be by any chance dug up by mistake for edible roots, as they are deadly poison; almost all the kinds may be easily naturalised in shrubberies away from the garden, or in openings in rich bottoms.

The best kinds are A. Napellus and its forms, versicolor, and other; chinense, autumnale, japonicum, and tauricum; Fischeri, Wilsoni, Vilmorinianum, volubile. They are from 3 feet to 5 feet high, and flower from July to September. A. Fortunei, the old chinense of gardens, is the best for late blooming. It is best to keep them all out of the flower or kitchen garden.