Aconitum carmichaelii ‘Arendsii’

AZURE MONKSHOOD

Aconitum carmichaelii ‘Arendsii’
AZURE MONKSHOOD

Aconitum carmichaelii ‘Arendsii’ wows with spires of deep azure blue hooded flowers in late autumn, on strong 1-1.5m spires.

Autumn spires of deep azure blue

So Azure Monkhood makes a stunning late season garden show, just when you think all the garden treats are over and the gloom of winter is upon us.

Stunning cut flowers

Aconitum also provide excellent cut flowers which last for ages in the vase.

The foliage of Azure Monkshood is also pretty, with finely divided, glossy, dark green leaves.
The leaves form a thick groundcover for the rest of the year, before the soaring flower spires impress us all in autumn.

Easy growing & low maintenance

Aconitum carmichaelii ‘Arendsii’ is hardy, easy and low maintenance.
It can be planted in Sun to Part Shade.
It is also extremely frost hardy, and does not require any special watering. Just normal, average garden watering is sufficient.

Aconitum carmichaelii ‘Arendsii’ forms a perennial clump of foliage, low to the ground, except when in spire for the spectacular autumn flowering.

Rabbit & deer resistant

The only maintenance is to shear the spent flower spires back down to the ground in winter.
Caution: Wear gloves when dividing the plant, or cutting the flower spires, to protect yourself from the sap – all parts of plant are toxic, and should not be ingested. Fortunately it is not tempting to eat, either for rabbits, kangaroos or possums, who all leave it alone.

SEED SOWING ADVICE:

Seeds can be sown directly in the garden in winter or early spring / or sown in punnets indoors at any time for earlier plants.
Wear gloves when handling the seed, though there is little risk from the seed, but it is wise to treat all Aconitum with respect.

First sow the seed in a in punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then cover the seeds to a depth of 5cm with sieved seed mix or vermiculite.

Now moisten by standing the punnet in a shallow water bath, and allow the moisture to percolate up to the surface from below. This will ensure the mix is thoroughly moist but not drenched.

Label the punnet with the name and date sown.
Now place the moist, sown punnet in a warm, well-lit position for 14 days (but no direct sunlight).

Temperatures of approx. 25C are best for this stage.
You can use a temperature controlled heat mat if you have one.

Continue to keep the punnet moist by misting from a spray water bottle as required.
Covering the punnet with a clear plastic cover, plastic bag, or glass helps to maintain consistent moisture and prevent drying out.

For best germination seeds now need a period of chilling (a pretend winter) – so wrap the sown, moist punnet in cling-wrap or a plastic bag and place in fridge (not freezer) for 21 days.

Then take out, unwrap punnet, and keep moist in approx. 25C, in a well lit position again.
Seeds need good light to sprout, but the punnet should not be in direct sunlight.
Seeds germinate in approx. 30 days.

Or sow seeds directly in garden in autumn/winter and leave to get the required chilling from winter nature before germinating in the spring.

Seed Count: 25 seeds per packet approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated count and give a generous serve)

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