Perennials > Aconitum > Aconitum napellus > Aconitum napellus
Aconitum napellus
Monkshood
Origin: Native to western and central Europe.
| Family |
| Ranunculaceae |
| Genus |
| Aconitum |
| Species |
| napellus |
| Category |
| Perennials |
| Pronunciation |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 6 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 5 - 6a |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H7 - H6 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -23 - (-18) |
| Temperature (°F) |
| -10 - 0 |
| Height |
| 1 - 1.5 m |
| Spread |
| 0.1 - 0.5 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| All parts of the plant are poisonous. |
| Cultivation |
| Plant in full sun or partial shade in a moist, humus-rich soil that never dries completely, taking care to keep away from the reach of small children and cattle. Mulch annually and cut back old spikes after flowering to encourage further bloom. It is a good idea in colder climates to mulch with evergreen prunings in autumn for frost protection. |
| Shape |
| An upright, bushy plant. |
| Pests |
| Generally pest free due to toxicity, but may suffer from powdery mildews. |
| Habitat |
| Found in the damp meadows and woodlands of mountain areas. |
| Leaf Description |
| Leaves are orbicular, palmately lobed or divided into 5-7 lobed or dentate leaflets. |
| Flower Description |
| Inflorescence is usually dense, with flowers that are blue or tinged purple, with hemispheric hoods that are generally broader than their height. |
| Fruit Description |
| Seeds are 3-angled, and narrowly winged on the angles. |
| Notable Specimens |
| Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Ontario, Canada. |
| Propagation |
| Propagate by division in autumn or from seed sown in cold frames. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer) |
| All parts of this plant are highly toxic if eaten. |
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