Aconitum carmichaelii 'Arendsii'

Monkshood is one of the most poisonous plants; it is also one of the most beautiful. 'Ardensii' is exceptionally beautiful with tall spikes of azure blue flowers that look like nothing else in the fall garden. Attractive palmate foliage emerges very early in spring (often in February!) and remains attractive through summer.

Though tall, this plant does not flop. It grows well in most soil conditions and light exposures, but is happiest in moisture-retentive soil in full sun.

WARNING: All parts of this plant are extremely toxic.

Distinctions: Winner of an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticulture Society.

Zones: 3 to 9

Family: Ranunculaceae

Type: perennial

Height: 24 to 48 in.

Spread: 12 to 18 in.

Exposure: full sun, part-shade

Image Credits:

Image 1 (blooms) Ghislain118 http://www.fleurs-des-montagnes.net, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Image 2 (foliage) Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Image 3 (form) TeunSpaans assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons

Soil Conditions: average, humus rich, fertile

Bloom Time: September to October

Bloom Color: dark blue

Native Range: central China