BlueWisteria.co.uk for down to earth gardening information.

Family description Aconitum.

Aconitum fell out of popularity a few years ago due to morbid fears of poisoning propagated by bad publicity in the media. This lead to the major plant growers dropping this plant and a few others from their lists, almost sending it into oblivion. Thankfully, a few people came to their senses and realized that few cases of aconite poisoning have been recorded since medieval times. Monkshood is renowned for the flowers that resemble the helmets worn in days of old and this flower probably inspired the designer. The flowers are usually a lovely deep blue colour, but they are also available in white or pink, and grow annually from a perennial rootstock.

General care.

Provide plenty of manure or compost at planting time and annually during the winter months. The usual autumn treatment for herbaceous perennials applies to Aconitum. Once flowering has finished in the autumn, cut the entire plant down to ground level and tidy up. Feed with slow acting fertilizer and top dress the crowns with compost. These plants will grow 1 - 2 metres tall and will require suitable support to prevent the flower stems from flopping all over the place. A final note of caution: All parts of the plant are poisonous so do not eat it, and wash your hands before sucking thumbs.

Notes on Toxicity or Culinary usage.

This plant has been used in quack medicine but all parts of the plant are toxic and can make you extremely ill. just look at the flowers.

Sales

Items for sale listed below.

Species description. Aconitum napellus.

Otherwise known as monkshood, Aconitum natellus is a herbaceous plant thriving in lightly shaded wet situations. Many garden cultivars now exist with larger flowers in shades of blue, white and pink.

Display characteristics for Aconitum napellus.

• Plant type: Dicotyledon. Deciduous
• Habit: Erect
• Type: Herbaceous.
• Height: 1.50 mtr.
• Spread: 0.40 mtr.
• Attractive to wildlife: None
• Preferred soil type: Clay. Loam. Silt.
• Soil moisture requirement: Medium
• Soil ph: Undefined
• Suitable position: Border.
• Light requirements: Full sun. Part sun.
• Summer water requirements: Medium
• Winter water requirements: Low
• Minimum temperature: -5 °c
• Safe Minimum temperature: 0 °c
• Safe Maximum temperature: 30 °c
• Maximum temperature: 0 °c
• Wind tolerance: Low
• Salt tolerance: None
• Drought tolerance: None
• Waterlogging tolerance: High
• Toxicity-Edibility: Severe illness posible
• Bloom attributes: Flower arrangement. Showy display.
• Foliage attributes: Undefined
• Berry attributes: Undefined
•