Aconitum, Aconite, Monkshood, Monk's Coule 'Anglicum Group'

Aconitumnapellus

Family
Ranunculaceae (ra-nun-kew-LAY-see-ee)
Genus
Aconitum (a-kon-EYE-tum)
Species
napellus (nap-ELL-us)
Synonym
Aconitum anglicum
Aconitum napellus subsp. napellus
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Foliage
Herbaceous
Smooth
Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness
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)
Danger
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color
Blue-Violet
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Wear gloves to protect hands when handling seeds
Seed does not store well; sow as soon as possible
Regional

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

Dillon, Montana

Dayton, Ohio

Puyallup, Washington

Appleton, Wisconsin

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

2
positives
3
neutrals
1
negative
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V
(Zone 8a) | July 2006 | positive

I have seen it growing in the wild in South Wales (UK) and it was a marvelous sight, drifts of violet and blue amongst the grasses and ot...Read More

J
Appleton, WI | July 2006 | positive

I love this plant! It is a nice, tall plant that blooms in shade in the late fall when most plants are done blooming.

M
Dayton, OH | July 2005 | neutral

I have monkshood in my tall cottage gardenbed. It grows to about five foot before it flowers , it looks nice with white David phlox and ...Read More

N
N
| August 2003 | neutral

I wish to add following information about the plant:
Aconite is a deadly poisonous plant acting on the heart. The plant roots are...Read More

I
(Zone 6a) | March 2003 | negative

This is one of the most poisonous plants in the world.
When in flower, it is quite characteristic, but with foliage only it may be...Read More

B
B
Baa
| March 2003 | neutral

A herbaceous perennial from Western Britain and is the only British representative of the genus.

Some don't consider it a...Read More

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