![]() ![]() To avoid this, improve air circulation between the stems of the plant and around the plant. This is especially true if the compost is allowed to dry too much. Luckily no pest will attack the plant due to its toxic nature but it can suffer from powdery mildew. You can give your plant an annual dressing of slow-release fertilizer to give the plants a boost through the growing season. These divisions can be planted in new containers to add to your or your friend’s collection. To minimise this, split the plant every few years and dispose of the centre and create divisions from the outer plant. Monkshood has a tendency to form gaps in the centre with time. In autumn, when the leaves have dieback, you can cut the whole plant, leaves and spent flowers close to the crown. As it does not self-seed regularly, there is no need to cut the spent flowering spikes. The plant may need to be stalked, especially the tall varieties to stop it from getting wind damaged and from flopping all over the place. Aconitum carmichaelii ‘Arendsii’įor best results, it is advised to grow it in light shade, as this will benefit the plant and stop it from getting too hot as the plant does not like it. Never consume this plant as it can be fatal. When planting or handling, make sure you wear gloves to minimise sap passing through the skin. This aconitine was used to align weapons to kill wolves (hence its other common name of Wolfsbane). One thing that must be remembered is that all parts of the plant are toxic, as they contain aconitine. Only water when 5cm below the top surface of the compost feels dry to the touch, or if it is wilting because the compost is too dry. Make sure that the compost is never too moist at all times, as the fragile roots will rot in too much water. Firm the plant in and water well.Īt the planting stage, do not add any fertilizer as too much rich soil will encourage the plant to grow too lanky. ![]() Backfill with the growing media, making sure that no gaps remain (use more compost if you have to). Place a plant in so that the top of the root ball is at the same level as the top surface of the compost. Dig a hole that is slightly bigger than the root ball it came in the original container. To this, add multipurpose compost to near the top. To the bottom of the container, add a 1cm layer of gravel as this will help with water draining. Whatever you choose make sure it has plenty of drainage holes at the bottom. Aconitum ‘Ivorine’įirst, select a container that will suit the Aconitum in question, in terms of size and colour. To really do well, it is best to imitate the growing conditions in its natural environment. It is best to buy new plants in early springs. Monkshood is normally bought as garden-ready pot plants and not normally reared from seeds, as it has such poor germination rates. This should take a while as it is a slow-growing plant. Only divide in autumn in containers if the plant is looking too crowded. This is one plant that does not like to be disturbed as it can take a while for the plant to establish. Rarer species and varieties can produce yellow or white flowers but these are not seen often. The common name of Monkshood comes about as the shape of the outer petals of the flower resembles cowls (headwear) worn by monks. The flowers are usually blue but other shades of near blue are possible. It is grown for its deeply divided green leaves and for the spikes of helmet-shaped (Monkshood) flowers that are produced. It is a firm favourite that in nature is found growing in meadows throughout the Northern hemisphere. Aconitums are colourful plants to have in containers This is exaggerated as very few gardeners die after handling it, as long as you do it with great care. You may wonder why I have called Aconitum or Monkshood, Wolfsbane or Aconite to give its common names, as notorious, the answer is because it has a reputation of being toxic to humans, with the possibility of death. In this article, we will discuss how to grow the notorious Aconitum in containers. ![]()
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