Aconitum Autumnale.

Autumn Monk's-hood; Nat. Ord. Ranunculaceæ.

Fig. 2. Aconitum Autumnale.
(About one-tenth natural size.)

Hardy, perennial, and herbaceous. This is one of the finest subjects for autumn flowering. The whole plant, which stands nearly 3ft. high, is stately and distinct (Fig. 2); the leaves are dark green, large, deeply cut and veined, of good substance, and slightly drooping. The flowers are a fine blue (a colour somewhat scarce in our gardens at that season), irregularly arranged on very stout stems; in form they exactly resemble a monk's hood, and the manner in which they are held from the stems further accords with that likeness. These rich flowers are numerously produced; a three-year-old plant will have as many as six stout stems all well furnished, rendering the specimen very conspicuous.[Pg 6]

This is one form of the Monk's-hood long grown in English gardens, and is called "old-fashioned." A. japonicum, according to some, is identical with it, but whether that is so or not, there is but a slight difference, and both, of course, are good.

I find it likes a rich deep soil. It is propagated by division of the roots after the tops have turned yellow in autumn or winter.

It flowers from August until cut down by frosts.