Common White Monkshood will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity extending to 4 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 24 inches. It tends to be leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and should be underplanted with lower-growing perennials. The flower stalks can be weak and so it may require staking in exposed sites or excessively rich soils. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 15 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!
This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone over the growing season to conserve soil moisture. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
Details
Botanical Name
Aconitum napellus 'Album'
Common Name
Common White Monkshood
Hardiness Zone
- 2
Appearance
Max Height
24 Inches
Max Spread
24 Inches
Plant Form
- Towering
Foliage Colour
- Green
Fall Colour
Flower Colour
- White
Edible
Edible Component
Edible Harvest Period
Edible Use
Fruit Colour
Growing
Flowering Period
From Early Summer To Early Fall
Moisture
Average To Moist
Sunlight
Partial Shade To Shade
Maintenance
Medium
Deer Resistance
Yes
Get more information about this plant and others with our comprehensive plant finder tool.