Aconitum carmichaelii (Wilsonii Group) 'Spätlese'

RHS Plant Profile
monk's hood 'Spätlese'

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monk's hood 'Spätlese' RHS
monk's hood 'Spätlese' RHS

Synonyms

Aconitum wilsonii 'Spätlese'
Aconitum carmichaelii var. truppelianum 'Spatlese'

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
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Upright, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial to around 1.5m in height. It has finely-divided, glossy dark green leaves and short spikes of light blue, hooded flowers in early to late autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or North–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
Clump forming
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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Best grown in moisture retentive, fertile soil in partial shade but sun and most soils are tolerated. Staking may be necessary (see staking perennials)

Propagation

Propagate by division in autumn or late winter to maintain vigour, although plants can be slow to re-establish. Use gloves when handling plants as all parts are highly toxic

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Architectural
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Tall stems can be pruned down in late autumn when flowering is finished

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to fungal stem rot and verticillium wilt