Aconitum
Monkshood
First cultivated in the mid-1500s, Aconitum derivatives were used as both a medicine and a poison, and an unwanted husband might have easily met his end while drinking his dear wife’s tonic. Simply medieval! Leaves, stems and roots are poisonous, but the stately Aconitum still deserves a place in our gardens because of the unusual blooms it hoists in abundance on stalwart stems. An excellent cut flower, unique for its large draped sepal, Aconitum loves cool summer nights, moist, but not wet soil and protection from the heat of the day. Perfect in the border or at woodland’s edge, their bold presence makes an engaging companion to Anemone, Helenium and late-blooming Persicaria.
A bushy forest-green foundation of lustrous deeply-fingered foliage plus staunch wide-branching stems bolsters the unique bicolored blooms. Coveted by pollinators, floral designers and plantspeople alike, this supposed Aconitum variegatum and Aconitum nepellus descendant premiers tall scene-stealing spires, housing copious, close-set hooded white flowers toned with soft blue hues and indigo-violet edges. ‘Bicolor’ boasts first-rate AGM notoriety for its stately vertical profile and midseason blooms that illuminate plants such as Phlox ‘Gzhel’ and Heracleum ‘Pink Cloud’.
Blooms July–August
Size: 3' 0" – 4' 0" high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.
Hardy to zone 3.
Please fill out our Registration Form to receive news of updates to the web site, availability of new plants, give us your feedback, and to be on the mailing list to receive future printed catalogs.
!["Call]("Tote_Bag_2024_image_w-cream_bg2.png")
