HARDY EXOTIC FLOWERING PLANTS. 121 
vegetation. Though quite hardy in all soils, they flower most freely 
in free loamy soils. Not varying very much in character, all obtain- 
able hardy species would group well together. The most vigorous 
kind at present in cultivation is one called A. latifolius, almost ever- 
green, and a fine plant when well established. Few plants are more 
fitted for adorning wild and semi-wild places, as they grow and 
increase without care, and are for foliage or bloom unsurpassed by any 
of the numerous plants that have been so long neglected through their 
not being available in 
any popular system of 
“flower gardening.” 
Monkshood, Aco- 
nitum. — These are 
tall, handsome peren- 
nials, with very poison- 
ous roots, which make 
it dangerous to plant 
them in or _ near 
gardens. Being usually 
very vigorous in con- 
stitution, they spread 
freely, and hold their 
own amongst the 
strongest herbaceous 
plants and weeds ; 
masses of them seen 
in flower in copses or 
near hedgerows afford a 
very fine effect. There 
are many species, all 
nearly of equal value 
for the wild garden, 
Coming from the plains 
and mountains of Siberia and Northern Europe and America, they are 
among the hardiest of plants. When spreading groups of Aconites are in 
bloom in copses or open spaces in shrubberies, their effect is far finer 
than when the plants are tied into bundles in trim borders. The old 
blue-and-white kind is charming in half-shady spots, attaining stately 
dimensions in good soil. The species grow in any soil, but are often 
somewhat stunted in growth on clay. 
The Monkshood, naturalised by wet ditch in wood. 
