Aconitum carmichaelii Royal Flush

Aconitum carmichaelii 'Royal Flush' is a truly royal Aconite, an impressive plant with its stature, late, massive and prolonged flowering and its beautiful palmate foliage, beautifully coloured in bronze red in spring. Its tall, red-tinged flower stems are adorned with large flowers of deep blue-violet, reminiscent of an ancient helmet. This flowering rises above a clump of shiny, finely cut, decorative leaves outside of the flowering period. Preferred in moist to wet and rich soils, this perennial is a beautiful splendor for gently sunny or partially shaded borders. 

Aconitum 'Royal Flush' is a horticultural variety from Darwin Perennials, derived from the Carmichael Aconite. Like all Aconites, it belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. The flowering plant measures between 80cm (32in) and 1.20m (4ft) in height, with a width of 40cm (16in). This deciduous perennial, very cold-resistant, emerges from the ground in spring and disappears underground in winter. The flowering of this variety, late, takes place between August and October. Clumps of leaves emerge from numerous branched, vertical, thick, reddish stems. Its elongated, helmet-shaped flowers are composed of petals of a deep violet-blue, revealing a black throat. This plant develops from a fleshy tuberous stump, from which an erect clump of palmate, deeply lobed, leathery leaves emerges in spring. They are deeply veined, their colour ranging from dark bronze red to slightly shiny dark green. All parts of this perennial are highly toxic.

Aconites suffer from a bad reputation in the garden, due to their legendary toxicity. And it is truly regrettable, because these plants, accustomed to cottage gardens, have their place in all borders with moist soil. They are robust, very hardy, and their foliage is among the most beautiful among perennial plants. Not to mention their vibrant flowering, ranging from almost white to gentian blue and soft yellow. They are perfect companions for delphiniums, asters, Ligularias, and Rodgersias, for example. They can be planted among bushes, with Japanese anemones for instance. They are good perennials, just like foxgloves, for light and fresh woodlands. Finally, their flowers are beautiful in bouquets.