Aconitum
( ak - oh - NYE - tum )
|
At-A-Glance InformationAlso referred to as Aconite, Wolfsbane or Monkshood, this genus of herbaceous perennial flowers needs full sun or partial shade and regular water. Take caution when planting this flower in your yard, as all parts are highly poisonous if ingested and can cause skin irritation if touched. These flowers love growing in open meadows, which is their natural habitat, and will bloom in late summer and fall. They also enjoy receiving regular moisture and cool temperatures. These are great substitutes for Delphinium in areas with light shade, and can also be grown as a part of cut flower beds; they will look great in fresh or dried arrangements.
|
Aconitum Species and Varietals
The genus Aconitum (in the family Ranunculaceae) encompasses over 250 species of flowering plants (including some award-winning hybrid varietals), and derives its name from the Greek word 'akon' which means dart, or javelin. It is rumored that the tips of arrows were poisoned with a substance made from Aconite plants for added injurious effect. Aconite grows best in zones A1-A3, 1-9 and 14-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
|
Aconitum anthora (Anthora, Yellow Monkshood, Healing Wofsbane) This species is native to European mountain ranges and northern Asia and has yellow flowers that bloom in late summertime. The name anthora refers to this plant's use as an antidote to Leopard's Bane poisonings in livestock and humans. |
|
Aconitum carmichaelii (Aconitum fischeri) (Chinese Wolfsbane, Carmichael's Monkshood) Native to eastern Asia, this plant gets 2-4 feet tall and wide. Densely foliaged with deep purple flowers bloom in clusters late summer to fall. Popular varieties include 'Arendsii' and 'Kelmscott'. |
|
|
Aconitum columbianum (Columbian Monkshood, Western Monkshood) This wildflower species of Monkshood grows in meadows and moist areas in riparian landscapes and conifer forests in western North America between 2,000-9,500 feet in elevation. Leaves are deeply divided and flowers can be blue, white, cream, or blushed blue. |
|
Aconitum coreanum (Korean Monkhood) This flower grows wild in the mountainous regions in Korea, China, Mongolia, and Russia. Flowers are yellow, and sometimes have a purple tinge to them. Leaves are deeply divided. |
|
|
Aconitum degenii (Branched Monkshood) This wildflower species of Monkshood is native to alpine and sub-alpine areas in south and south-eastern Europe. Flower stalks are branched and bloom in late summer. Habit is a bit spindly. |
|
Aconitum ferox (Aconitum virorum) (Indian Aconite) This species is one of the most poisonous plant species in the world, and is native to the eastern Himalayan Mountains in Nepal and India in shrubberies and forest clearings. These plants bloom from August to October in their native range. Flowers are very dark blue-purple. |
|
|
Aconitum henryi (Spark's Variety Monkshood) This species has glossy dark green leaves and a wildflower-like habit. It is native to China's mountainous scrub landscapes and the flowers are blue to deep violet-blue. |
|
Aconitum lamarckii (Northern Wolf's Bane) This species is native to Europe and is sometimes cultivated in home gardens in temperate zones, prized for its show of yellow flowers in summertime. This species is named after Jean Baptiste Lamarck. |
|
|
Aconitum lycoctonum (Wolfsbane, Northern Wolf's Bane) This species is one of the most commonly found wild species in Europe, and is commonly cultivated in gardens. It was formally discovered in 1727 by Carl Linnaeus in Lapland, Finland. Flowers can be dark violet or pale yellow. |
|
Aconitum napellus (Garden Monkshood, Monkshood, Aconite, Venus' Chariot, Wolfsbane) This species is native to Europe, this plant has an upright habit to 2-5 feet tall and 1 foot wide. Blue or violet flowers bloom in late summer to fall and are held in spiked clusters. |
|
|
Aconitum noveboracense (Northern Blue Monkshood, Northern Wild Monkshood) This species is considered threatened, and grows naturally in Iowa, Wisconsin, New York, and Ohio in shady cliff areas. Flowers bloom between June and September, and are blue. |
Caring for Aconitum
Please Note: When working with Aconite, it is a best practice to use gloves and wear long-sleeves. Also, make sure to take care that you are considering children and pets if you are planting these in your yard; ensure that they have no access to the area. Do not plant Aconite near plants that you are harvesting for ingestion.
The first step in caring for Aconite is to plant it in the correct spot in your garden; one that receives partial shade to full sun, though they may perform best with filtered sunlight. If you live in an area that receives high winds, think about planting these flowers in a sheltered place in your yard, otherwise you may need to stake them to support their tall flower spikes. They look great at the back of borders, providing eye-catching color that towers over fronting plants. They love all kinds of soil, even nutrient-poor types, though they do need soil that is well-draining. They will perform best in soil that is slightly acidic to neutral (about 5.5-7.0), but again, can be grown in pretty much any soil. The best planting time for Aconite is in fall, when the plants will have time to acclimatize to their new home before they go dormant in winter. They will pop back up in springtime with brilliant color. Space them about 16 inches apart for best performance and coverage.
Give your plants a generous amount of water, especially during growth and blooming periods (they will need about an inch of water per week), but ensure that the soil they are in is well-draining, otherwise they will be more likely to have issues like Crown and Root Rot. If your plants seem like they are not blooming adequately, they may benefit from a fertilizer (one that is good for Roses will work for Aconite as well) applied in springtime. Avoid nitrogen-heavy fertilizers. These beauties do not need much in the way of pruning, though spent flower spikes can be cut down to encourage new ones to pop up. In late fall or early winter if you live in a cold-weather area, it is best to cut the plants back to the ground after frost kills the foliage and mulch around the base to protect frost-sensitive roots and ensure the plant comes back in the springtime. Plants will need to be divided every four or five years to prevent root crowding and for best bloom performance. For instructions on how to divide your plants, see the Propagation section below.
The first step in caring for Aconite is to plant it in the correct spot in your garden; one that receives partial shade to full sun, though they may perform best with filtered sunlight. If you live in an area that receives high winds, think about planting these flowers in a sheltered place in your yard, otherwise you may need to stake them to support their tall flower spikes. They look great at the back of borders, providing eye-catching color that towers over fronting plants. They love all kinds of soil, even nutrient-poor types, though they do need soil that is well-draining. They will perform best in soil that is slightly acidic to neutral (about 5.5-7.0), but again, can be grown in pretty much any soil. The best planting time for Aconite is in fall, when the plants will have time to acclimatize to their new home before they go dormant in winter. They will pop back up in springtime with brilliant color. Space them about 16 inches apart for best performance and coverage.
Give your plants a generous amount of water, especially during growth and blooming periods (they will need about an inch of water per week), but ensure that the soil they are in is well-draining, otherwise they will be more likely to have issues like Crown and Root Rot. If your plants seem like they are not blooming adequately, they may benefit from a fertilizer (one that is good for Roses will work for Aconite as well) applied in springtime. Avoid nitrogen-heavy fertilizers. These beauties do not need much in the way of pruning, though spent flower spikes can be cut down to encourage new ones to pop up. In late fall or early winter if you live in a cold-weather area, it is best to cut the plants back to the ground after frost kills the foliage and mulch around the base to protect frost-sensitive roots and ensure the plant comes back in the springtime. Plants will need to be divided every four or five years to prevent root crowding and for best bloom performance. For instructions on how to divide your plants, see the Propagation section below.
Propagation
Aconite can be propagated by division and by seed. Again, when you are working with Aconite, take precautions to protect yourself, as this plant is highly poisonous. The roots of these plants are the most poisonous, so this is especially important if you are propagating by division.
Propagating Aconite by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost, gloves and other protective wear (to prevent skin contact) and pots (12 inch pots will do, and these are only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in spring or fall (after the plant has entered dormancy and been cut to the ground, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every four to five years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
Propagating Aconite by Seed
To propagate your Aconite by seed, you will need gloves and other protective wear (to prevent skin contact), clean, sharp garden shears, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost, a plastic bag and paper towel, perlite, and a spray bottle filled with water. Keep in mind that this option will not necessarily produce a clone of the parent plant. If you would like to ensure that you are going to end up with an exact copy of your Aconite, propagate by division (as described above). Also, Aconite grown from seed may take a year or more to sprout, so this way of propagation can require some patience. To grow your Aconite from seed, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Aconite by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost, gloves and other protective wear (to prevent skin contact) and pots (12 inch pots will do, and these are only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in spring or fall (after the plant has entered dormancy and been cut to the ground, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every four to five years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
- Dawn your protective gear and gather your materials. Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the tuber roots. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
- Start to tease apart the roots with your gloved fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick tuberous section.
- Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divided tubers about an inch under the soil surface and water thoroughly.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout!
Propagating Aconite by Seed
To propagate your Aconite by seed, you will need gloves and other protective wear (to prevent skin contact), clean, sharp garden shears, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost, a plastic bag and paper towel, perlite, and a spray bottle filled with water. Keep in mind that this option will not necessarily produce a clone of the parent plant. If you would like to ensure that you are going to end up with an exact copy of your Aconite, propagate by division (as described above). Also, Aconite grown from seed may take a year or more to sprout, so this way of propagation can require some patience. To grow your Aconite from seed, follow the instructions below:
- Dawn your protective gear, cut your dry seed pods off of your existing plant, and open them to reveal the seeds inside. This can be done as soon as the plant's seed pods look like the image below. Store the seeds in a cool, dark place until you are ready to use them. Make sure you harvest and sow a good amount of seeds, as not every one will germinate. It is a good practice to place the seeds in a plastic bag with a damp paper towel and put this bag in your refrigerator for around 3 weeks before sowing. Seeds germinate best when given this little shock of cold.
- In late fall a few weeks after the first light frost, seeds can be sown in place. Aconite doesn't do well with transplanting, so this is the best option for successful propagation. Amend the area with about 3 inches of compost and work it into the soil. Place seeds three inches apart and sprinkle a thin layer of soil over the top, then water gently. Maintain constant moisture for about a month, and then thin the seedlings that have sprouted so they are spaced around 16 inches apart. They should be mulched around the bases to keep them cool as the weather warms, and watered once weekly.
- If you'd like to sow your seeds indoors first and then move the seedlings outdoors, follow step one and then prepare your pots or trays with well-draining soil amended with perlite. Water your soil to ensure good drainage is occurring. Place seeds in your tray, or spaced about 3 inches apart in a pot (or pots) and cover them with a thin layer of more soil. Locate your tray(s) or pot(s) in a shaded indoor location that receives very indirect light and where temperatures will stay between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Water your seeds with a spray bottle, and continue to keep the top of the soil moist for about a month. Seeds should be starting to germinate and sprout at this time. Decrease watering at this time, allowing the top quarter inch of soil to dry out before adding more water.
- After the last frost of springtime has passed, transplant your seedlings into the garden in an area amended with about 3 inches of compost. Space them 16 inches apart for best coverage and performance. Add a little mulch around the bases to keep the soil cool as the weather warms, and ensure they receive water once weekly.
Dried Aconite seed pods ready to be harvested.
|
Aconite seeds.
|
Problems and Pests
Aconite can be susceptible to a few problems, and the first have to do with placement in your garden. These plants can do well in both full sun and in shady areas, but will bloom better the more sun they get. If you live in a warm area, you may notice that your plants' flowers are a bit burned looking, or that the plant is wilting. If this happens, it is a clue that you may need to transplant them to a more shaded area. On the other hand, if your plant is in shade and you notice the flower heads or stems drooping over, this is a hint that it may need more sunlight. Drooping can also be caused by wind damage, and you may need to stake the flower spikes. Aconite is also susceptible to the following issues:
- Crown and Root Rot
- Powdery Mildew
- Verticillium Wilt
Gallery
Aconite provide a beautiful showing of flowers, especially when planted in masses.
|
Aconite looks wonderful in cottage-style gardens.
|
Aconite can make a great addition to cut flower arrangements, but keep them out of reach of children and pets!
|
Videos
|
A video about how poisonous Aconite is.
|
All about Aconitum napellus.
|
|
An introduction to Aconitum.
|
How to divide and plant Aconitum.
|
Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 133, Aconitum
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
