- Botanical name: Aconitum napellus 'Newry Blue'
- Common name: Monkshood
- Family: Ranunculaceae
- Plant Type: Perennial, Deciduous
Blue
Purple
Green
- Key features:
- Flowers
- Prefers rich soil
- Attractive to wildlife
Aconitum napellus – also known as monkshood, wolfsbane and aconite – is plant steeped in lore because of the toxin, aconitine, it contains. It’s a beautiful herbaceous perennial with finely divided leaves similar to those of delphiniums, to which it’s related. It bears deep purple-blue flowers held on spires a metre or so in height and enjoys growing in cool, moist soil.
Aconitum napellus ‘Newry Blue’ has deep, indigo coloured flowers held closely together to form a denser spire than the uncultivated species. It usually flowers in June and July.
For best results, grow Aconitum napellus ‘Newry Blue’ in full sun or partial shade, in moist, well-drained soil. Light soils should be improved with lots of well-rotted organic matter before planting.
How to grow Aconitum 'Newry Blue'
-
Plant size
1.2m height
50cm spread
-
Aspect
East facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Middle
- Sun exposure: Full sun, dappled shade, partial shade
- Shade type: Damp
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist / acidic
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do not Sow in April |
M
Do not Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do Sow in September |
O
Do Sow in October |
N
Do Sow in November |
D
Do Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do Plant in March |
A
Do Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do not Divide in March |
A
Do not Divide in April |
M
Do not Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do Divide in September |
O
Do Divide in October |
N
Do Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
Aconitum 'Newry Blue' and wildlife
Aconitum 'Newry Blue' is known for attracting bees. It nectar-pollen-rich-flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Aconitum 'Newry Blue' poisonous?
Aconitum 'Newry Blue' irritates skin, is harmful if ingested, causes an upset stomach and toxins are absorbed by the skin. Its fruit, pollen, seeds, roots, seed capsules, foliage and sap are toxic.
Toxic to Cats
Toxic to Dogs
Toxic to Horses
Toxic to Livestock
Toxic to People
No reported toxicity to Birds
Plants that go well with Aconitum 'Newry Blue'
