Aconitum 'Stainless Steel'
monk's hood 'Stainless Steel'
Upright, clump-forming perennial about 1-1.2m tall, with deeply cut dark green foliage with 5 to 7-lobes, and spikes of steely-blue hooded flowers with white centres, from early summer to autumn
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Grey Silver Blue | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- TOXIC if eaten, avoid skin contact. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: TOXIC if eaten, avoid skin contact - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
- Genus
Aconitum can be herbaceous perennials or biennials with lobed leaves and racemes or panicles of showy, hooded flowers
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Best grown in moisture retentive, fertile well-drained soil in partial shade but will tolerate most soils and full sun. Staking (see staking perennials) may be necessary
Propagation
Divide every third year in autumn or late winter to maintain vigour but sometimes plants are slow to re-establish. Use protective gloves when handling any part of the plant
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Architectural
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required except cutting back dead stems; use protective gloves
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids
Diseases
May be susceptible to fungal stem rot, powdery mildews, and Verticillium wilt
Get involved
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