Aconitum hemsleyanum
(Climbing Monk's Hood)
Family - Ranunculaceae
Category - Climber
Origin - China, Myanmar
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H7
Height - up to 3m
Width - up to 1.5m
Location - The Woodland Walk
Description: A tuberous, climbing Perennial with slender stems that are often tinted red. Glossy dark green leaves are palmately lobed with finely Divided, narrow lobes. The plant at Malverleys has hooded flowers in a soft shade of violet-purple, though this trait is variable in cultivation. The Blooms are held in Racemes on the slender, twining stems and are produced from midsummer into mid-autumn.
Synonym - Aconitum volubile.
Flower:
In the Woodland Walk at Malverleys, the hooded flowers are a soft shade of violet-purple. However, the flower colour is a variable trait in cultivation, ranging from very pale to deep shades of violet, and can be tinged with green. The blooms are held in racemes on the twining stems and are produced from July into October.
Flower colour: Violet-purple
Flower shape: Hooded flowers in racemes
Flowering time: July, August, September, October
Foliage:
Glossy dark green leaves are palmately lobed with finely Divided, narrow lobes. (This trait is also variable in cultivation leaves can be found with less narrow, more rounded lobes.) The leaves are held in opposite pairs on slender, twining stems that are often tinted red.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Palmately lobed
Poison Information:
All parts of this plant are toxic and will cause discomfort if ingested. The sap from the foliage may cause skin irritation.
Propagation:
Seed.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun to partial shade (though it will tolerate shade) in fertile, moisture retentive soil that is well drained.