type :
Perennials
sun exposure :
Full Sun, Partial Shade
water :
Regular Water
planting zones :
US (Upper South) / Zone 6, MS (Middle South) / Zone 7
Plant Details
Difficult plants to grow in most of the South, as they dislike extended summer heat, drought, and mild winters. Sow seeds in moist, fertile, well-drained soil in late summer or autumn for flowers the following year. Seedlings started in spring may take a year to bloom. Aconite combines effectively with hosta, ferns, meadow rue (Thalictrum), and astilbe in lightly shaded gardens; it can also substitute for delphinium in shade. Plants are seldom browsed by deer.
garden monkshood
aconitum carmichaelii
- Native to central China.
- Densely foliaged plant 24 feet high, nearly as wide.
- Leathery, dark green leaves are lobed and coarsely toothed.
- Blooms from late summer into fall; deep purple-blue flowers form dense, branching clusters 48 inches long.
- Selections of the Wilsonii group grow 68 feet high and 12 feet wide, has more open flower clusters 1018 inches long.
- 'Arendsii' grows 2-4 feet high, blooms azure blue, and may be the best for the South.
aconitum napellus
- Native to Europe.
- Upright, leafy plants 25 feet high, up to 1 feet wide.
- Leaves 25 inches wide, divided into narrow lobes.
- Spikelike clusters of typically blue or violet flowers in late summer.
aconitum selections and hybrids
- The following grow to about 312 feet tall, 1 feet wide.
- Leaves are deeply cut.
Bressingham Spire
- Upright plant with deep violet blossom spikes from midsummer to early fall.
- Glossy, dark green leaves.
Eleonara
- White flowers edged in bluish purple; early summer bloom.
- Glossy, deep green leaves.
Stainless Steel
- Steel blue flowers in loosely branched spikes bloom in midsummer.
- Dark grayish green leaves.
