Monks hood
Aconitum Napellus
 
Aconitum napellus is an erect, tuberous-rooted perennial which features dense, terminal racemes (to 8" long) of hooded, deep purplish-blue to violet flowers atop rigid, leafy stems typically growing 2-5' tall.
 
An old-fashioned heirloom perennial steeped in folklore traditions, but not seen often in modern gardens. This forms an upright mound of deeply-cut green leaves, bearing tall spikes of deep-blue flowers in mid-summer. May need staking in early summer.
 
An outstanding cut flower.
 
CAUTION: toxic if eaten/harmful via skin.

 
 
Details:
Plant life cycle: Hardy Perennial
Site: Shade/Part shade
Height: 47-59 "
Hardiness zonea:3-8
Blooming season: Mid summer to late fall
Sow: surface, press in, slightly cover
Plant spacing :24"
Approx seeds pe packet:15
 
How to grow:
 
Monkshood seeds can be directly sown outdoors in late fall or early winter for germination the following spring. If you want to start indoors for a spring planting, Aconite seeds needs a cold treatment.

Place flower seeds in water or moistened soil and freeze for three weeks. After the cold treatment, sow the Monkshood flower seeds in starter trays, and transplant seedlings into the garden when temperatures are warm.
Soil temperatures between 55 and 60 degrees. 
 
Best Sowing Date 
(northern Hemisphere, Field condition):
late autumn - early spring
Sowing to Germination:
8 - 10 weeks
Germination to Transplant:
4 - 8 weeks
Transplanting to Potting:
6 - 10 weeks
 
Container Size(s):
1-2 plugs per 11/12 cm (4 1/2") / 2-3 plugs per 15 cm (6")
Fertilizer:
High (200-250 ppm)
 
When to divide monkshood?
It's a good idea to divide monkshood plants every few years to keep them vigorous – otherwise a gap tends to form in the middle of the plant. The best time to do this is early spring, just as new growth appears. Replant the new clumps around the garden.
 
 
 
How to harvest:
Cut stems off after the blooming, this will trigger appearance of more new flowers.
For aconites, cut back to the shortest in fall and possibly protect the base of the plant in colder areas.
The tallest aconite varieties don’t stand to the wind well if not staked. Use Hortinove netting
 Cut stem when  1/3 of blooms are open. Can be used as a dried flower. 
 
Vase life:
Vase life 7-14 ddays