Aconitum hemsleyanum

RHS Plant Profile
climbing monk's hood

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climbing monk's hood Wolfgang Bopp
climbing monk's hood Wolfgang Bopp

Synonyms

Aconitum volubile misapplied

Climber Wall Shrub
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A scrambling, climbing perennial about 2-5m tall, with vine-like, divided, 3-lobed mid-green leaves. Hooded lilac flowers are borne in hanging clusters in late summer and early autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–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
Climbing
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
China

How to Grow

Cultivation

Ideally grown where it may scramble through a shrub or hedge in moisture-retentive fertile soil in part shade. Sun and most soils are tolerated

Propagation

Propagate by seed. 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
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

Cut back in winter; 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