Cool Monkshood For Woodland Gardens

Hooded Flowers of Aconitum Add Height to Shade Garden Designs

Sep 14, 2009

For architectural structure in the cool perennial border or woodland garden, the pendulous mid-summer blooms of Monkshood are hard to beat.

Also known as Wolfsbane, Leopard's Bane, Women's Bane, Devil's Helmet or Blue Rocket, Aconitum species are natives of mountainous regions throughout the northern hemisphere and are members of the Buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. They have held important status as medicinal plants among some early peoples but, most famously, the sap of Aconitum has been used as an arrow poison by early hunters.

Monkshood Flowers

The leaves of the Monkshood are dark green and deeply cut. The stems rise from tapered dark coloured roots early in the spring. Depending on the variety, monkshood can grow from two to four feet high and spread 18 to 24 inches.

The blooms may be blue, purple, white, yellow or pink and grow in erect clusters. The pouch-shaped flowers are pendulous and hooded, thus giving rise to the common name of Monkshood. As the flowers mature, the blooms rise and the anthers are pushed forward to brush against visiting bees attracted to the colour and shape of the blossoms.

Monkshood looks best at the back of a border with other tall plants. They work well with Joe Pye Weed, bellflowers, ferns, hostas and sedums.

For the Shady or Woodland Garden Setting

Monkshood is a very hardy plant that can survive in USDA Zones 3 -7. While most varieties of Monkshood will grow well in nearly any condition, they prefer a well-drained moist rich soil in part shade. Monkshood do not do well in hot climates and for best colour, they need to be protected from prolonged exposure to the sun. They are resistant to deer and rabbit damage, so they are an excellent choice for gardens where these pests cause damage.

When preparing to plant Monkshood, the soil should be well dug and have plenty of compost worked into the planting hole. The forked roots which some say resemble horseradish should be buried with about one inch of soil over their heads. Wear gloves when handling any Monkshood roots as the sap from broken stems or damaged roots can be irritating to the skin and poisonous if ingested.

Monkshood can be left undisturbed for many years. But if flowering becomes spotty, or for propagating new plants, the root ball may be divided with a sharp shovel in fall. Be sure to have at least two or three roots in each division. Plant divisions immediately and water well for at least two weeks. Avoid dividing plants more than every three or four years.

The most popular variety of Monkshood is Aconitum napellus or Blue Monkshood. Napellus has dark blue flowers and can grow up to 60 inches tall and spread more than two feet. This the variety most commonly associated with medicinal remedies.

Less common is Aconitum lamarckii or Yellow Monkshood. Growing to about 48 inches tall, the flowers of lamarckii are a soft creamy yellow.

Aconitum ‘Pink Sensation’ is a pink flowering variety that also grows to about 48 inches tall.

Properly handled and placed where its structural beauty can be enjoyed, this heritage plant is a gorgeous addition to the northern garden.

The copyright of the article Cool Monkshood For Woodland Gardens in Flower Gardens is owned by Marianne Lepa. Permission to republish Cool Monkshood For Woodland Gardens in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.