Aconitum × cammarum 'Eleanora'
purple wolf's bane 'Eleanora'
A herbaceous perennial up to 1m high with strong upright stems, lobed, divided, deep green leaves, and spikes of high-hooded white flowers edged in blue-violet, from midsummer to late summer; the flowers may be visited by bumblebees, particularly long-tongued species, who are not affected by the toxins
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 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 | Blue Purple White | Green | ||
Autumn | Green | |||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Potentially harmful
- All parts of aconites are extremely toxic if eaten, and toxins may be absorbed through skin contact: wear protective gloves and other protective equipment when handling any part of the plant
- 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
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
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
Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to aphids
Diseases
May be susceptible to fungal stem rot, powdery mildews, and Verticillium wilt
Get involved
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