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Herbaceous Perennial

Aconitum carmichaelii (Arendsii Group) 'Arendsii'
  • RHS AGM
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

monk's hood 'Arendsii'

A tall herbaceous perennial, producing branched panicles of rich lavender-blue flowers that appear in early to mid autumn on stems that can reach over 1.5m high, above dark green, leathery, palmate to deeply-divided, lobed foliage

Synonyms
Aconitum carmichaelii 'Arendsii'
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Chalk
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green
Autumn Blue Purple Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

North–facing or East–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical 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

Grows best in deep, cool, moisture-retentive soil in partial shade, but will also tolerate most soils and full sun if soil is humus-rich and protected with mulch to ensure that it is moist throughout the growing season; use protective gloves Staking may be necessary. See staking perennials for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division in autumn or late winter; division every few years may encourage good flowering stems, though plants may be slow to re-establish; use protective gloves, all parts are highly toxic

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • 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 and Verticillium wilt

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