Delphinium Brunonianum

Musk larkspur is an extraordinary Himalayan alpine found on screes at elevations of roughly 4,000-5,500 metres. Compact clusters of hairy stems carry hooded blue-purple flowers with dark veins and almost black inner petals, while the foliage is softly divided and toothed. The blooms release an unusual musky fragrance, giving the species its common name. In rich garden soil it may become taller and coarser than plants in the wild, so it is best grown lean in a cool trough or scree bed. Its intense colour and high-altitude character make it a prized collector's plant.