Projo Garden Blog

Aconitum, in the family of Ranuncalaceae, has about 120 species.

9.17.08

The common monkshood, also known as wolfsbane, devil's helmet or blue rocket, has been in my garden since last September.

10.6.08

I could not remember how many I planted and totally forgot that they were perennial. Now I have 6 or 8 of them. They have only started blooming around mid-September. The blooming period should last well into October as there are still many buds yet to open.

9.27.09

While I have enjoyed all the flowers that are easily recognized, I never hesitate to try something new and have such a pleasure introducing them to my neighbors and friends. However with Aconitum, I have to add that it was highly toxic, although it is also known to have homeopathic properties as anti-inflammatory agent.

Aconitum (wolfsbane) could be found in many literature - from James Joyce's Ulysses to J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban ( see Wikipedia ).

Monkshood flowers resemble delphiniums in their color and the lightness/texture of the petals. The flower has one of the 5 petals larger than other petals that looks like a helmet; hence the name monkshood.

10.6.09

Aconitum prefers full sun and rich, well-drained soil.

 Tags  aconitum

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