The monkshoods are good perennials, slowly forming multi-stemmed plants. Some are tall species, and at the other extreme there are dwarf, high-altitude alpines. All have spikes of characteristic hooded flowers.

Aconitum carmichaelii has spikes of large, blue, hooded flowers in summer. The glossy dark-green leaves are also attractive. It is ideal as a cut flower when grown in a sunny border, but it also grows well in a woodland setting.