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Aconitum (Monkshood)
at Digging Dog

Including Aconitum x cammarum, Aconitum fischeri, Aconitum carmichaelii, & Aconitum napellus

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 late season blooms it hoists in masses on stalwart stems.

An excellent cut flower, unique for its large, draped sepal, Aconitum loves moist, but not wet soils, cool summer nights, 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.

View a slideshow of plant images from this genus


Aconitum x cammarum ‘Bressingham Spire’  full sun  partial shade
Aconitum x cammarum Bressingham Spire

A stockier, dignified cultivar that doesn't need staking, this Aconitum's deep blue-violet spires are narrow and tapered. Helmetlike flowers line the straight, sturdy stems, each central shaft first showing color, than the side spikes following suit. Anchored by a compact, bushy mass of polished and narrowly fingered, dark forest greenery, ‘Bressingham Spire’s cool-colored floral display soothes Centaurea macrocephala’s sun-struck blooms.

Blooms June – August.

Size: 2'–3' high x 18" wide; hardy to zone 4.

Aconitum x cammarum ‘Bressingham Spire’ (P-1243)
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Aconitum x cammarum ‘Stainless Steel’  full sun  partial shade
Aconitum x cammarum Stainless Steel

Lavish steel blue shafts are the great reward of this easy-to-cultivate perennial. Cloaking strong stems, the glossy grayish green foliage is deeply divided into narrow fingers. Crocosmia ‘Eastern Promise’s orange flowers make a satisfying complement to the smoky hue of ‘Stainless Steel’.

Blooms mid-June–August.

Size: 3-1/2' high x 18" wide; hardy to zone 4.

Aconitum x cammarum ‘Stainless Steel’ (P-0870)
Each $9.00
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Aconitum carmichaelii ‘Arendsii’  full sun  partial shade
Aconitum carmichaelii Arendsii

For this fine cut flower’s plentiful show of large, vividly violet-hued flowers embellishing tall spikes, and its vigorous stature, many gardeners consider ‘Arendsii’ to be among the best of the late flowering Aconitums. Broadly segmented, deep green leaves have a lustrous, leathery quality. Plant Kniphofia linearifolia nearby and enjoy a late summer splash of color.

Blooms July–early October.

Size: 3-1/2' high x 18" wide; hardy to zone 4.

Aconitum carmichaelii ‘Arendsii’ (P-0820)
Each $9.00
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Aconitum septentrionale ‘Ivorine’  full sun  partial shade

Strong steeplelike stalks elegantly showcase hooded, close-set ivory white flowers on branching stems. A cool classic look is achieved when illuminated blossoms unfurl above an urbane bushy clump of gleaming deeply lobed, dark green leaves.

One of the first Aconitums to bloom, this 1958 Alan Bloom selection can be affiliated with other beauties such as Phlomis ‘Amazone’ and Heuchera ‘Wendy’.

Zone 3/4.

Blooms May–June.

Size: 2'–3' high x 12"–15" wide; hardy to zone 4.

Aconitum septentrionale ‘Ivorine’ (P-1683)
Each $9.00
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