How to Grow Great Aconitum

Many flower gardens contain a variety of the plant known as monkshood. The plant is quite popular and easy to grow. Here are some tips to help you grow great Aconitum, or monkshood, in your home flower garden.

The Aconitum is a plant with tall, spiky flower heads. The foliage is deeply lobed and the flowers are an inch to inch and a half long. They have a helmut that protrudes above 3 lower petals. The flowers bloom in the late-summer and fall. And, the plant grows best in full sun.

Aconitum x bicolor will grow up to 4 feet tall. The leaves are 2" to 3". The flowers of this variety are blue, purple, or bicolored. They appear in the late summer months. The leaves have 5 to 7 lobes. It is best grown in temperature zones 3 through 7.

Aconitum carmichaelii has azure colored flowers and will grow up to 3 feet tall. The plant of this variety is study and thick with 3 loved leaves. The flowers bloom in the late summer through the fall months of the year. This variety of monkshood grows best in temperature zones 3 through 7.

The common monkshood, or Aconitum napellus, grows up to 4 feet tall with leaves that are 2 to 4 inches long. With the development of sturdier varieties, this plant is not as popular as it once was. The dark blue-violet flowers appear in the late summer on tall spikes. It will do best in temperature zones 3 through 8.

The thick roots of monkshood do not like to be disturbed. Once they are placed, they should not be disturbed unless they become too crowded. They should be planted in either the spring or fall months. The soil should be rich and well drained. They can be planted in partial shade, but prefer sunny spots if they are available. If your garden is on the southern border of their range, they should be placed where they will get some shade in the afternoon. They also prefer the temperatures at night to be on the cooler side.

To propagate monkshood, carefully divide the brittle roots. This should be done in the fall or early spring months. Also, the flower stalks can be quite top-heavy and may need to be staked.

Aconitum are tall plants that are best used in the back portion of your flower garden. Different varieties can be used to provide a colorful backdrop to shorter flowering plants.

No matter which variety of monkshood you choose, you are sure to be happy with the plants. This perennial has been planted in flower gardens for many years. Use these tips and you should be able to enjoy your plants for many years to come in your home flower garden.