Reference specimenAccession  SKU-01457

Aconitum uncinatum

Southern Blue Monkshood

At a glance
Type
Perennial
Hardiness
USDA Zones 5–8
Sun
Part Shade, Full Sun
Soil
Moist, Well-drained
Mature size
Height 2–3 Feet · Spread 1–2 Feet
Growth rate
Moderate
Seasonality
Dies back
A plant Woodlanders once offered on our catalogue

This variety is no actively in production in our propagation house and may not return to our catalogue. We maintain this page purely for reference and archival purposes. If you would like to grow this plant, tell us. Your interest helps guide what we bring back.

For a larger installation or commercial project, write hello@woodlanders.net.

Aconitum uncinatum, the southern blue monkshood, is an uncommon and long-lived native of the eastern United States, scattered through the Appalachians and Piedmont in rich, moist woods, along streambanks, and in cool seeps. The slender stems ascend and lean, sometimes weakly climbing to several feet, carrying lobed leaves and, in late summer into fall, terminal racemes of medium blue, hooded flowers held on long stalks. The cowl-shaped upper sepal gives the monkshoods their name, and few native wildflowers match this clean, late-season blue.

Like every monkshood, the southern blue is dangerously poisonous in root, leaf, and stem; the genus gave the world wolfsbane and the old name queen of poisons, and this native carries the same aconitine. Grow the plant for beauty and for pollinators, the late flowers drawing long-tongued bumblebees, but handle with care and keep all parts away from children, pets, and the kitchen. Settled plants resent disturbance and do not transplant well, so choose the spot thoughtfully and leave them to age in place.

A fine choice for the back of a moist, part-shaded border or a native woodland planting, where the blue spires close the season among ferns, asters, and turtlehead. Rich, retentive soil and cool roots suit the southern blue monkshood best, with morning sun and afternoon shade in warmer gardens. Plant once, mulch well, and let the colony settle rather than dividing.

Design Notes

For the back of a moist, part-shaded border or a native woodland planting, where the blue spires close the season among ferns, asters, and turtlehead. Rich, retentive soil and cool roots suit the southern blue monkshood best, with morning sun and afternoon shade in warmer gardens. Plant once, mulch well, and leave the colony to settle; every part is poisonous, so keep it clear of children and pets.

Flower, Fruit & Foliage

Medium-blue hooded flowers in terminal racemes, late summer into fall

Flower. Terminal racemes of medium-blue, hooded flowers on long stalks, late summer into fall; the upper sepal forms the monk's cowl. Foliage. Deeply lobed leaves on slender, ascending to weakly climbing stems; the plant dies back in winter. Habit. An uncommon, long-lived native perennial of rich, moist woods and seeps that resents transplanting once settled.

Care

Light. Part shade to morning sun; afternoon shade in warmer gardens.

Soil. Rich, retentive, evenly moist woodland soil that still drains.

Water. Keep consistently moist; the roots resent drying out.

Pruning. Cut spent stems back in late fall, wearing gloves, since all parts are toxic; avoid dividing, as settled plants resent disturbance.

Hardiness. USDA zones 5 to 8.