Aconitum

**N* S* <s*@rcn.com>**

I'm very pleased with myself. This year I moved my aconitum (probably
carmichaelii) from a really dark and dreary spot to one with more sun. I
moved the plant in bud and expected it never to flower, but now those
intense blue blooms are appearing through the branches of an itea that's
fast turning red and burgundy. I once tossed this plant into my compost
heap because it seemed diseased. Well, it survived the winter and came back
so I figured it really wanted a home in my garden. The plant never got
diseased again. (Incidentally, I think it got sick the one summer I decided
to regularly fertilize my perennials--never again will I do that). I've
recently seen a bunch of aconitums in the perennial garden at the New York
Botanical Garden and, along with some salvia, they create stunning patches
of blue amidst drifts of smoky red and golden yellow foliage. It just
amazes me that I rarely read about aconitum. They seem so tough I would
think people would want them as much as daylilies.
Nancy Stedman, NYC
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