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Aconitum napellus (Monk's hood)

Other names: Monkshood, Adam and Eve, Bear's foot , Common aconite, Cupid's cap, Dumbledore's delight, Elijah's chariot, Flapdock, Grandmother's nightcap, Friar's cap, Garden wolf's bane, Helen flower, Helen's flower, Helmet flower, Monk's cap, Pops, Soldier's cap, Turk's cap, Venus's chariot drawn by two doves

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Species
A. napellus is an upright, deciduous, tuberous perennial with rounded, deeply lobed, dark green leaves dense racemes of hooded, purple-blue flowers in summer.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
1.5 m 0.5 m 2-5 years
4 ft 1 ft 2-5 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Clay
  • Loamy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Alkaline
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Partial Shade
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • North
Exposure
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Best grown in cool, moist, fertile soil under partial shade. Can also tolerate most soils and full sun (if soil is improved with well-rotted organic matter and mulched.)

Suggested uses

Coastal, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders

UK hardiness

USDA zones

Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9

Sunset zone

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 1, 2, 3, A2, A3, A1

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Moderate/Medium
Central Valley = Moderate/Medium
South Coastal = Inappropriate
South Inland = Inappropriate
High and Intermediate Desert = Inappropriate
Low Desert = Inappropriate

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Upright, Clump-forming

Native to

Central Europe, Northern Europe

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Toxicity

All parts highly toxic if eaten; also harmful via the skin.

Plant care

Pruning

Cut down plants in autumn.

Propagation methods

Division

Propagation

Propagate by division between autumn and spring.

Pests

Generally pest free

Diseases

Powdery mildew

Cut plants to ground level (optional)

Mulch with leaf mould or garden compost in spring (optional)

Protect in winter with dry mulch (in cold areas)

Plant in fertile, moisture retentive soil

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (0)

Aconitum

Companion plants (1)

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Crocosmia masoniorum
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Crocosmia masoniorum Giant montbretia
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Related content

Discuss Aconitum napellus with other Shoot members

Aconitum napellus

Shoot User
1084 0
Monk's-hood makes a magnificent garden plant. Its flowers are visited by bumble bees. Care is needed, however, as all parts of the plant are very poisonous and contact with the foliage may cause skin irritation in some people. It is also called wolf-bane, perhaps because medieval hunters used it as a poison.
Posted: Tuesday 9th of June 2009 05:27 PM Last reply: Friday 28th of February 2025 12:09 PM
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