Monkshood

How can you not fall in love with a perennial that has regal blue spires? And monkshood is that plant. Relatively unknown, it deserves a lot more attention. It produces tall spikes of hooded purple, blue, white, or bicolor blooms in late summer to fall. When not in bloom, its mounds of coarsely lobed foliage look great, too.

Plants grow best in partial shade, although in cool climates they will grow well in full sun. In dense shade, plants will become floppy. All parts of monkhood are poisonous.

Monkshood dislikes hot weather, so it's usually not a great choice for gardeners in hot-summer climates.

Light:

Sun,Part Sun

Zones:

3-8

Plant Type:

Perennial

Plant Height:

2-5 feet tall

Plant Width:

1 foot wide

Flower Color:

Blue, violet, white or bicolor flowers, depending on variety

Bloom Time:

Blooms late summer to early or mid-fall, depending on variety

Landscape Uses:

Beds & Borders

Special Features:

Flowers,Cut Flowers,Deer Resistant

Top Varieties

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Arendsii monkshood

(Aconitum carmichaelii 'Arendsii') is a late bloomer with large intense blue-purple flowers. The sturdy plants normally need no staking unless grown in too much shade. It grows 4 feet tall. Zones 3-7.
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Bicolor monkshood

(Aconitum cammarum 'Bicolor') features pale lavender to violet flowers with darker purple petals below. It grows 4 feet tall. Zones 3-7.
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Monkshood

(Aconitum napellus) blooms in deep purple-blue in late summer. Plants grow to 5 feet tall. Zones 5-8.
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Garden Plans

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Large Summer Sunny Border
Heirloom Garden Plan
Long-Blooming Rock Garden Plan
Shady Side Yard Garden Plan
Side Garden
A Simple, Late-Summer Perennial Garden Plan

Plant It With

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Astilbe

Astilbe blooms earlier in the summer than monkshood. Both appreciate moist soil in partial shade. Pairing the two extends the season for color interest.

Hosta

Flowers of monkshood rise above the foliage of hosta, creating a striking combination when interplanted. Deadhead faded hosta blooms to prevent them from distracting from the monkshood blooms.

Toad lily

The purple-speckled blooms of toad lily peak at the same time as late-blooming monkshood varieties. Both grow well in moist partial shade.

Propagation

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Seed
Division