Aconitum carmichaelii

RHS Plant Profile

Carmichael's monk's hood

RHS

Synonyms

Aconitum fischeri misapplied
Aconitum maximum
Aconitum fischeri J. Forbes & Hemsl.
Aconitum wilsonii

Herbaceous Perennial

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Clump-forming species perennial, very variable in height from 60cm to 2m tall, but usually about 1.2m, with 3 to 5-lobed leathery dark green leaves. Dense panicles of large pale violet or pale blue flowers to 1.5m in height, are produced in autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Chalk, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Chalk Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or West–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: Correct
Plant Range: C & W China, N. America

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, staking may be required; 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

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to fungal stem rot and Verticillium wilt