Aconitum napellus subsp. vulgare

Aconitum napellus subsp. vulgare, also known as Common Monkshood or Jupiter's Helmet, is a montane perennial with a fleshy root that does not give in to the elegance of its counterparts. This species with its wild beauty raises its tall airy spikes in summer, adorned with large, vivid blue-violet flowers in the shape of a helmet. It bears large, shiny, highly divided leaves on fairly woody stems. This favoured inhabitant of cool and rich soils is a reliable and floriferous shade-loving plant, perfect for filling the back of perennial borders.

Widespread in hilly or mountainous areas throughout Europe and temperate regions of Asia, Monkshood is an herbaceous perennial of the buttercup family, just like its cousin, Delphinium. This plant grows from a fleshy tuberous rootstock, from which an erect clump emerges in spring, consisting of sparsely hairy stems with leathery, almost spherical, deeply palmate leaves that appear fringed. The leaves have deep veins and a very dark green colour, with a shiny surface. In July-August, long spikes measuring 35-40cm (14-16in) unfold at the tips of the stems, adorned with helmet-shaped flowers that are wider than they are tall, in a very deep violet-blue colour that beautifully reflects light. The flowering plant reaches at least 80cm (32in) in height, with a width of 30 to 50cm (12 to 20in). The napellus species is the most toxic of all, and one of the deadliest plants in our flora if the roots are ingested.

Monkshoods have a bad reputation due to their legendary toxicity, which is unfortunate because they have a place in all gardens in our cool and well-watered regions. They are robust, very hardy, and their foliage is among the most beautiful among perennial plants. Not to mention the blue of their flowering, a unique blue, comparable to that of Gentians or delphiniums. They are perfect for the back of borders, alongside foxgloves and baneberries, creating enchanting shaded summer scenes. They can be planted among bushes, sheltered from the wind that sometimes bends their stems, alongside Japanese anemones, which will take over after their flowering. They also look stunning in front of the purple foliage of Physocarpus or Cotinus 'Royal Purple'. They are good perennials, like foxgloves, for clear and cool woodlands. Lastly, their flowers are beautiful in bouquets.