One of Brother Cadfael's Favorites

I have a couple of different Monkshoods in my gardens. There's a pink one that blooms in late June/early July. But my favorite is this blue one.

It sits amidst a supporting cast of garden phlox at the furthest end of my yard, spending nearly all summer in dappled shade. About this time of year, I check it daily because it sits near the top of the steps I take down to our riverside walk.

It blooms slowly, deepening in color as Halloween approaches. And I suppose, given its well-deserved reputation, that Halloween is an appropriate time for Monkshood to bloom.

You see, Monkshood (or Aconite, to give it its proper name) is poisonous. All parts of the plant—roots, stems, leaves, flowers—are troublesome. When I finally cut it back in early November, the last garden plant to be felled with my shears, I always wear gloves and keep the dog inside because she likes to chase everything.

Once it's in the compost pile, I don't think about it again. But until then...

I first learned about Aconite from one of the Brother Cadfael mysteries by Ellis Peters. In fact, the book is called Monk's Hood. It's also appeared in more than one Agatha Christie novel as the poison of choice.

No matter. I love the plant. It has a blossom like no other. And it delights long past the time when every other bloom is but a memory.