prefers partial sun, tolerates full if the soil is moist
Moisture
average to moist, never dry
Soil & Site
prefers moist soils with abundant organic matter
Flowers
violet blue shaped like small helmets or hoods with a beaked front
Leaves
palmately veined, deeply divided to the center
Dimensions
Reaches 30-40 inches tall.
Maintenance
Slow to recover from division so best left in place. May need staking. Remember to wash all equipment and hands after working with plant. Can be cut back to control height but this will mean loss of the larger terminal buds.
Propagation
division
Misc Facts
A very toxic plant ingestion of or even touching the sap can cause cardiac or respiratory failure The leaves and roots contain aconitin a narcotic alkaloid. Wash hands after handling this plant. Native to Europe.
Notes & Reference
#40-Manual of Herbaceous Plants (Steven Stills), #54-The Well Tended Garden (DiSabato-Aust), #79-Perennials For Every Purpose (Larry Hodgson)