Aconitum Purple Sparrow

The Aconitum 'Purple Sparrow' is a hybrid aconite with a compact habit and vigorous growth, and a perpetual flowering from late spring to the end of summer, often with a small pause during the peak of summer. This well-coloured variety produces branched spikes of purplish flowers touched with pale yellow, dominating a clump of thick, glossy, palmate leaves. Preferring cool and rich soils, this perennial is a reliable and floriferous plant, thriving in gently sunny borders, partial shade, or even not too dense shade.

This recent horticultural variety was obtained from the Netherlands. It is presented by its breeder as resulting from the cross-breeding between an Aconitum lamarckii, native to the mountainous regions of central and southern Europe, Morocco, and A. septentrionale, which is native to the forests of northern Europe. All aconites belong to the Ranunculaceae family. The flowering plant measures about 60 cm (24in) in height, with a width of 50 to 60 cm (20 to 24in). The flowering of this variety starts in June, continues through July, often pauses in August, and resumes in September, depending on the climate. If the soil remains cool in summer, it will bloom from late June to August-September. Clumps of leaves emerge from the branched, vertical, dark-coloured flower stalks. Its elongated helmet-shaped flowers consist of a purple corolla veined with darker shades, revealing a pale yellow interior. This plant develops from a fleshy tuberous stump, from which an erect clump of sparsely hairy stems emerges in spring, adorned with tough, palmate leaves, deeply lobed and strongly toothed along the edges. They are deeply veined, with a very dark green colour and a slight gloss. All parts of this perennial are highly toxic.

Aconites have a bad reputation in gardens due to their legendary toxicity, which is unfortunate because these ornamental plants have their place in all gardens. They are robust, very hardy, and their foliage is among the most beautiful of all perennial plants. Not to mention their vibrant flowering, ranging from almost white to gentian blue. They are perfect in borders, among grasses, and in the company of asters and chrysanthemums for magical autumn scenes. They can be planted among bushes, in the company of Japanese anemones, especially this 'Purple Sparrow' variety that appreciates light shade. These plants also look stunning in front of the autumn foliage of Persian ironwood or deciduous euonymus. They are good perennials, like foxgloves, for light and cool woodland areas. Finally, their flowers are magnificent in bouquets.