"Aconitum"

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About Aconitum

Aconitum is also known as Monkshood and Helmet Flower. Pronounced ak-ko-ny'tum.

Aconitum flowers are an unusual hooded shape just over 1 inch (2.5cm) across and borne on tall upright spikes. They are usually blue or violet , but rose, white and yellow types also exist.

Aconitums come mainly from the northern hemisphere, including Europe. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Used medicinally for treating toothache, migraine and neuralgia.

Aconitum flowers are available in summer and autumn.They are best bought when the lower florets have started to open.

What to Do When You Receive Your Aconitum Flowers

1. Unpack your flowers straightaway.

2. Use a clean vase. Fill it with clean lukewarm water and add a floral preservative solution, following the instructions provided.

3. Cut off all the foliage on the stem that would be below the water level in the vase. Also remove any damaged leaves or flowers, and any yellowing foliage.

4. Cut off about 1 inch (2.5cm) from the bottom of the flower stems with the stems under water. Make the cut at an angle so that the flower stems do not rest flat on the bottom of the vase.

By doing this you help your Aconitums to maintain water uptake. Air bubbles and debris tends to collect in the bases of the stems and ,if this is not removed, water flow in the stems is greatly restricted. The cut should be at an angle and not flat across. You do not want the flower stems resting flat on the bottom of the vase since this will also restrict water uptake.

5. Arrange your flowers in the vase so that they are attractively displayed.

6. Keep Aconitums in a cool place and out of direct sunlight. Avoid draughts. They do not like very hot or cold areas .In a hot place in the direct sun the flowers will soon die.

Care of Your Aconitum Flowers

1. Check the water level frequently and top up the vase with lukewarm water to avoid chilling the flowers.

2. Regularly remove damaged, or dying flowers and foliage. This helps the flowers last longer.

3. Every 3 or 4 days remove the flowers from the vase. And cut off about 1 inch (2.5cm) from the bottom of the flower stems under water and at an angle . This will maintain good water uptake.

Flower Life

With good care Aconitums last up to 10 days during which time the flowers continue to open. They can also be used as a dried flower.

Growing Aconitum Outside in the Garden

Aconitums should be grown in a fertile, moist soil that is rich in organic matter. They do well in a sheltered, semi- shaded location that receives sun for part of the day. In a dry or windy area they will need to be kept well watered to avoid browning of the leaves. They will grow in hardiness zones 2-9. Periodic fertilizer applications will prove beneficial.

The plant has attractive leathery, shining dark green foliage, with deeply indented lobes, which looks good all through the season. The flowering stems vary from 24 to 48 inches high (60-120cm) depending on variety.

The large, brown-black, tuberous roots are shaped like a turnip (from the latin napus -turnip- we get the name napellus). Aconitum has a vigorous root system and so it is difficult to dig up plants when they are well established.

The flowering period is from July to September. Aconitums make good cut flowers, but note that all parts of the plant are poisonous if eaten.

Propagation

Types of Aconitum

Aconitums are hardy perennials.The most readily available species is Aconitum napellus, the Common Monkshood.

This comes in varieties such as 'Bressingham Spire' (violet), 'Bicolor' (blue and white), 'Newry Blue' (violet-blue), 'Bergfürst' (dark blue), 'Roseum' (rose), 'Albus' and 'Albidum' (white). The tall 'Sparks Variety' is an intense violet-blue which looks good in accompaniment with vivid yellow flowers.

Other species are Aconitum carmichaelii 'Barker's Variety'(amethyst blue flowers in late summer), Aconitum septentrionale 'Ivorine' (cream-white, ivory flowers on 24 inch (30cm) high stems), Aconitum cammarum 'Gletschereis'(white), and Aconitum lycoctonum (unusual yellow flowers from June to August).

And finally Aconitum wilsonii 'Barker's Variety' which grows up to 60 inches high (150cm) and flowers into October.

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