Aconitum Species, Aconite, Blue Monkshood, Monk's Coule

Aconitumnapellus

Family
Ranunculaceae (ra-nun-kew-LAY-see-ee)
Genus
Aconitum (a-kon-EYE-tum)
Species
napellus (nap-ELL-us)
Synonym
Aconitum alatum
Aconitum amoenum
Aconitum ampliflorum
Aconitum anglicum
Aconitum bavaricum
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
Smooth
Height
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Spacing
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 2a: to -45.5 °C (-50 °F)
USDA Zone 2b: to -42.7 °C (-45 °F)
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Danger
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Blue-Violet
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Flowers are good for cutting
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; stratify if sowing indoors
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Juneau, Alaska

Seward, Alaska

Pueblo, Colorado

Brookfield, Connecticut

Old Lyme, Connecticut

Lewes, Delaware

Hinsdale, Illinois

Machesney Park, Illinois

Washington, Illinois

Westchester, Illinois

Gorham, Maine

South Berwick, Maine

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

Marlborough, Massachusetts

Revere, Massachusetts

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Bridgewater, Michigan

Howell, Michigan

White Lake, Michigan

Gorham, New Hampshire

Jamesburg, New Jersey

Bloomingburg, New York

West Kill, New York

Cleveland, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio

Reynoldsburg, Ohio

Springboro, Ohio

Portland, Oregon(2 reports)

WALTERVILLE, Oregon

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Coopersburg, Pennsylvania

Rapid City, South Dakota

Leesburg, Virginia

Lexington, Virginia

Aberdeen, Washington

Olympia, Washington

Seattle, Washington

Green Bay, Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin

Watertown, Wisconsin

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

9
positives
3
neutrals
0
negative
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C
Bethlehem, PA | July 2020 | positive

My absolute favorite flower. If I don't keep it watered, some of the stems turn into black slime. The remaining stems, erect/self stand...Read More

J
Collierville, TN | November 2019 | positive

Blue Monkshood is now blooming in my part shade garden. Love it’s lovely blue flowers. Attracts hummies!

A
Somerville, MA | October 2009 | positive

I love these in the very neglected garden at my parents' house in northern NH (zone 4) - they keep thriving and blooming with no care (no...Read More

L
Portland, OR | October 2008 | positive

I love this plant. I have one that is now about 5 feet high and blooms in the fall. I also have one that blooms in the summer. I respe...Read More

I
I
Brookfield, CT | October 2007 | positive

Mine are growing in full sun, in a dry part of the garden. Not as bushy as the one in pix said to be growing in Seward Alaska, sad to sa...Read More

G
(Zone 5a) | January 2006 | positive

I love this plant. It grows under a maple tree where very little will survive, and it blooms so late in the year (October-November in my...Read More

K
Indianapolis, IN | January 2006 | positive

Monkshood adds a nice blue color to a fall shade garden.

S
Springboro, OH (Zone 6a) | April 2005 | neutral

When handling monkshood, take care to keep plant away from open wounds and be certain to wash hands thoroughly. Wash immediately after cu...Read More

A
| February 2003 | neutral

Could anyone tell me where to buy wolfbane seeds?

M
Sharpsville, PA (Zone 5a) | October 2002 | positive

Mine bloomed October 13. Makes a lovely cut flower! I got a good 3 arrangements worth on one plant its first year blooming.

M
Indianapolis, IN | September 2002 | positive

Regarding the seeds: Seeds must be cold treated first. Place in a fridge for 6 weeks. Seeds have irregular germination times. Germ. can t...Read More

J
J
MD &, VA (Zone 7b) | November 2000 | neutral

There are around 100 species in this genus, the most common being napellus. Best cultivated in rich, moist soil and in part shade if summ...Read More

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