Aconitum (Ranunculaceae)
The famous (and infamous!) Monkshood, or Wolfsbane, has been utilized by humans for thousands of years as the source of aconite, a deadly poison. It was used to poison arrow tips for hunting and warfare. The name may come from the old Greek word for a dart or javelin, akon. It is also a lovely and long lived perennial with different species blooming from mid-Summer through late Fall. Best in a rich, evenly moist soil and part sun. Gardeners should use gloves when dividing and handling Monkshood to avoid accidental poisoning. Worth it though!
AVAILABLE THIS YEAR
A. carmichaelii ‘Arendsii’ - late blooming species, glossy leaves and blue-purple flowers in October.
A. lycoctonum - yellow, blooms mid-summer. “Wolf’s bane”.
A. napellus ‘Newry Blue’ - blue, blooms mid-summer.
The famous (and infamous!) Monkshood, or Wolfsbane, has been utilized by humans for thousands of years as the source of aconite, a deadly poison. It was used to poison arrow tips for hunting and warfare. The name may come from the old Greek word for a dart or javelin, akon. It is also a lovely and long lived perennial with different species blooming from mid-Summer through late Fall. Best in a rich, evenly moist soil and part sun. Gardeners should use gloves when dividing and handling Monkshood to avoid accidental poisoning. Worth it though!
AVAILABLE THIS YEAR
A. carmichaelii ‘Arendsii’ - late blooming species, glossy leaves and blue-purple flowers in October.
A. lycoctonum - yellow, blooms mid-summer. “Wolf’s bane”.
A. napellus ‘Newry Blue’ - blue, blooms mid-summer.
The famous (and infamous!) Monkshood, or Wolfsbane, has been utilized by humans for thousands of years as the source of aconite, a deadly poison. It was used to poison arrow tips for hunting and warfare. The name may come from the old Greek word for a dart or javelin, akon. It is also a lovely and long lived perennial with different species blooming from mid-Summer through late Fall. Best in a rich, evenly moist soil and part sun. Gardeners should use gloves when dividing and handling Monkshood to avoid accidental poisoning. Worth it though!
AVAILABLE THIS YEAR
A. carmichaelii ‘Arendsii’ - late blooming species, glossy leaves and blue-purple flowers in October.
A. lycoctonum - yellow, blooms mid-summer. “Wolf’s bane”.
A. napellus ‘Newry Blue’ - blue, blooms mid-summer.