A bushy forest-green foundation of lustrous deeply-fingered foliage plus staunch wide-branching stems bolsters the unique bicolored blooms. Coveted by pollinators, floral designers and plantspeople alike, this supposed Aconitum variegatum and Aconitum nepellus descendant premiers tall scene-stealing spires, housing copious, close-set hooded white flowers toned with soft blue hues and indigo-violet edges. ‘Bicolor’ boasts first-rate AGM notoriety for its stately vertical profile and midseason blooms that illuminate plants such as Phlox ‘Gzhel’ and Heracleum ‘Pink Cloud’.

Blooms July–August

Size: 3' 0" – 4' 0" high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 3.

A stockier, noble cultivar that doesn’t need staking, this Aconitum’s deep blue-violet spires are narrow and tapered. Helmet-like flowers line the straight, sturdy stems, each central shaft first showing color, than the side spikes following suit. Anchored by a compact, bushy mass of polished and narrowly-fingered dark greenery, ‘Bressingham Spire’s cool-colored floral display soothes Centaurea macrocephala’s sun-struck blooms.

Blooms June–August

Size: 2' 0" – 3' 0" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

A captivating departure from our solid-hued Monkshood selections, 'Eleonora' offers pretty bicolored creamy white helmet-style blooms ornamented with delicate violet-blue edges on openly branched terminal panicles. The intensely segmented, deep green leaves are smooth and shiny, and tend to be lax at the base before climbing steadfast straight-backed stems, while the light-colored flowers look their best when showcased against a dark foil.

Blooms June–August

Size: 3-1/4' high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Lavish steel-blue steeples are the great reward of this easy-to-cultivate perennial. Cloaking firm stems, the glossy grayish green foliage is deeply divided into slender fingers. Thalictrum ‘Elin’s delicate leaves and lavender flowers are a satisfying touch next to smoky-hued ‘Stainless Steel’.

Blooms mid June–August

Size: 3-1/2' high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

For this choice cut flower’s plentiful show of large, vivid azure-violet blooms embellishing tall spikes, and its vigorous stature, many gardeners consider ‘Arendsii’ to be among the best of the late-flowering Aconitums. Broadly segmented, deep green leaves have a lustrous, leathery quality. Plant Kniphofia ‘Tawny King’ nearby and enjoy a late summer splash of color.

Blooms July–early October

Size: 3-1/2' high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

This compelling Chinese denizen has a lot to offer: unyielding medium-sized stature that never needs staking, gleaming verdant foliage and crystal clear late season bloom. Populating stiff dark blue-violet spires, the hood-shaped flowers surmount ramrod straight stems wrapped in triclefted green leaves, each further carved by stylish lobes and toothed edges. Aconitum fischeri’s dignified persona is ideal, either for a midborder position flanked with Phlox ‘David’ or a more naturalized setting surrounded by Muhlenbergia reverchonii ‘Undaunted’™.

Blooms August–early October

Size: 2' 0" – 3' 0" high x 12" – 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Intense dark indigo-blue hooded blooms densely garnish a unique presentation of lovely large and wide-branching panicles, without the distraction of a dominant central leader. Strong, lean tapered stalks and deeply cut, varnished forest-green foliage bolster a flowery spectacle that tantalizes the floral trade and keeps our attention sparked through late summer with its masterful seed pod-studded stems. Steeped in grandeur since 1898, when legendary plantsman Maurice Prichard first introduced it, this AGM winning Aconitum can be mingled amongst dusky-colored blossoms or the bright yellows of Helianthus ‘Capenoch Star’.

Blooms August-September

Size: 3' 0" – 4' 0" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 3.

Native to the moist meadows and mountainous areas of Europe and Asia, this choice architectural cultivar muscles straight, burly stalks that don’t need to be staked. Ideal in cut arrangements, the towering pollinator-friendly spires are bedecked with luminous hooded white flowers above a polished, ferny foil of deep-hewn, dark emerald-colored foliage. ‘Album’s artful refinement plus easy-to-blend, refreshing colors are the perfect antidote for a hot summer day.

Blooms July–September

Size: 3' 0" – 4' 0" high x 12" – 15" wide.

Zone 3/4.

Acclaimed for its straight tightly clustered racemes of navy-blue flowers, this beloved old Irish cultivar boasts a well-earned AGM plus an early summer bloom time. Lustrous deeply-fingered dark greenery attires lengthy staunch stems beneath the spectacular full-toned blooms. A choice addition to mixed borders, woodland gardens or cut arrangements, ‘Newry Blue’ partners well with Sanguisorba ‘Burr Blanc’ and Actaea ‘Queen of Sheba’.

Blooms July–September

Size: 4' 0" – 5' 0" high x 12" – 15" wide.

Zone 3/4.

Strong steeplelike stalks elegantly showcase hooded, close-set ivory white flowers on branching stems. A cool classic look is achieved when illuminated blossoms unfurl above an urbane bushy clump of gleaming deeply lobed, dark green leaves.

One of the first Aconitums to bloom, this 1958 Alan Bloom selection can be affiliated with other beauties such as Phlomis ‘Amazone’ and Heuchera ‘Wendy’.

Zone 3/4.

Blooms May–June

Size: 2' 0" – 3' 0" high x 12" – 15" wide.

Zone 3/4.