Monkshood Blue Aconitum Napellus is a herbaceous perennial plant native to European mountains, such as the Alps, Pyrenees, and Northern Spain. Blue Monkshood seeds can be planted indoors in winter or outdoors in early spring or fall. Also called Hanging Wolfsbane, Healing Wolfsbane, and Aconite, this evergreen perennial grows from an underground tuber sprouting into an erect sparsely branched stem that holds the stacked medium blue tubular flowers. Monkshood blooms from July to September, and its nectar-rich flowers are an excellent food source for many beneficial insects including bees and butterflies.
Monkshood Blue is grown as a garden ornamental plant that is valued for its flowers and attractive deeply cut, blue-green foliage. Hanging Wolfsbane is especially very well suited to rock garden plantings, but its blue flowers add visual interest to any flower bed. Aconitum Napellus Album seeds must be cold stratified a period of several weeks in a refrigerator. Mix the seeds with moist sand in a plastic bag. The bag must be kept warm and moist (around 68°F/20°C) for the first 2-4 weeks and then placed in the refrigerator where it should remain for 5 to 6 weeks at a temperature of 41°F/5°C. After this take the plastic bag out and check regularly at room temperature to see if the seeds are germinating. Anthora grows best in a moist, humus-rich soil in sun or partial shade, succeeding in full sun so long as the soil does not become dry. Monkshood Blue is resistant to rabbits and deer, and Acontium is considered to be an outstanding cut flower.
WARNING: The plant is toxic if eaten and harmful via skin, so it has to be handled with care. Wear gloves, and clean tools after handling the plants.
PLANT PROFILE
Season: Perennial
Height: 24-36 Inches
Bloom Season: Summer
Environment: Sun/Partial Shade
Soil Type: Rich/Moist well-drained, pH 5.6-7.8
USDA Zones: 3-8
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
Sow Indoors: Winter (6-8 weeks before last frost)
Sow Outdoors: Spring/Fall
Seed Depth: 1/8 Inch
Germination Time: 56-70 Days
