Monkshood Plants (Aconitum Napellus)
is an herbaceous perennial flower that can fills a number of garden needs. Monkshood
Plants is one of the few almost true blue flowers. This plant is native to
mountainous areas, it is really a heat-tolerant plant. This particular plant is
a tall plant that blooms late in the summer and handles partial shade very
well. This plant actually gets its common name of monkshood from its
resemblance to the cowl on monk’s habits. Research has shown that there are
about 250 species of aconite, but the most commonly grown ornamental variety is
Aconitum napellus.
This plant has been safely cultivated
in gardens for hundreds of years. Monkshood Plants is a lovely flower, just make
sure you use caution when handling it. This plant has smooth palmate leaves
with deep lobes. This plant also has racemes of blue or white flowers which are
borne on sturdy, unbranched stems. Also there are 5 sepals and the top sepal
curves downward which give the flower its hood-like appearance. The actual
petals are really hidden inside the hood. The botanical name of this plant is Aconitum
napellus, why the common names are wolf’s bane, wolfsbane, helmet flower.
This plant is reliably perennial in
USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 8. In ideal conditions, Monkshood plant has been
known to survive down to Zone 2.
The light exposure: This particular
plant can handle both full sun and partial shade, although they prefer somewhat
moist soil. By peradventure if you are growing them in a hot, dry area, make
sure you give them a spot with some shade, most especially in the afternoon. If
they are grown in shade, you really need to stake the Monkshood plants.
The mature size: From my little
experience monkshood fills out to a nice size plant, reaching a height of about
three to 6 ft. and also spreading to about 1 1/2 ft. Although the plant take
several years to become established. Once they are established, they are a very
long-lived plant.
The bloom period: From my experience
flowering starts in mid- to late summer and will continue into the fall.
Monkshood Plants
(Aconitum Napellus) Growing Tips
The soil: Monkshood Plants (Aconitum
Napellus) actually prefer a soil pH that is neutral to slightly acidic, although
it will tolerate other soils as long as they are rich, moist, and
well-draining.
Starting Monkshood Plants from seed: Monkshood
Plants can be started from seed, but it can be finicky about germination and it
can take a year or more to actually sprout. You can start extra seeds and don’t
expect them all to germinate. You can sow the seed from fall to early spring. The
Monkshood plants need to go through a chilling period in other to break
dormancy. Monkshood plants don’t really like to be transplanted, just sow them direct
if possible. The plant can be ephemeral their first year, you don’t need to panic
if they disappear.
The planting: This plant likes fairly
rich soil. You can add plenty of organic matter before planting to add
nutrients and to also help keep the soil moist, but draining well. You can
plant or divide the monkshood plant in either spring or fall, make sure you
avoid doing it in the heat of summer. This plant never “needs” dividing, but
you can divide it if you actually want more monkshood plants. Don’t forget that
the roots tend to break easily, make sure you handle with care. The plant is
easier to divide if you really water them beforehand so that the soil adheres
to the roots.
The watering of plant: Once they are established,
the monkshood plant is able to withstand short periods of drought, but for the robust
plants you can provide a moist soil or water them regularly.
Fertilizer Application: Under normal
condition the feeding of the plant depends on the quality of the soil. You can
start with rich soil that is high in organic matter. You can side dress with
compost and some organic fertilizer each spring.
The maintenance of plant: This plant
is actually a very low maintenance plant. They are late-season bloomers and
they do not really repeat bloom, you don’t really need to deadhead. The monkshood
plants will die back to the ground at frost.
Pest control: Monkshood plant does
not have serious pest problems, most especially if they have good growing
conditions. Monkshood plants are deer resistant. Due to its poisonous
qualities, a lot of animals avoid the plant.
Insect control: Four-lined plant bug
and leafminers can really mare the Monkshood plant leaves. And again mites can
also stress the Monkshood plants.
Diseases control: Monkshood plants
are susceptible to bacterial leaf spot, rust, and verticillium wilt.
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