Aconitum lycoctonum subsp. moldavicum

RHS Plant Profile
Moldavian monk's hood

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Moldavian monk's hood RHS

Synonyms

Aconitum hosteanum
Aconitum moldavicum

Herbaceous Perennial
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An upright perennial with rounded 5-7 lobed dark green leaves, and panicles of grey flowers, with cream at the mouth and pale violet on the spurs, in mid and late summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Ranunculaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
TOXIC if eatenavoid skin contact. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: TOXIC if eatenavoid 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
Correct
Plant Range
E Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Best grown in moisture retentive, fertile, well-drained soil in partial shade but will tolerate most soils, full sun and some shade. 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
  • 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 crown rot, Verticillium wilt, bacterial spotting of the foliage and powdery mildews