Aconitum Napellus (monkshood)

**coreopsis** · 10-04-2010, 12:05 AM

Quite a lot of people grows foxgloves,in my opinion they are similar

**selfraising** · 10-04-2010, 04:15 AM

Thanks for your reply coreopsis. Perhaps I have over reacted but when I recieved the plant I googled it to remind myself of position, height it would get etc. and kept coming across articles such as that it was Britain's most poisonous plant and that the poison could easily be absorbed through the skin via the seed, leaves, roots and any other part of the plant and should only be handled using surgical gloves!! I have two concerns a) that there are small children next door and my fencing is reed so could it grow through and b) that the nursery I bought the plant from on their webpage only stated 'all parts of the plant are poisonous' but did not indicate that merely touching the plant allows the poison to be absorbed through the skin. I have emailed them concerning this. Apart from gastrointestinal problems it can cause bradycardia, tachycardia and heart failure.

**Jeanied** · 10-04-2010, 06:36 AM

The monkshood grows a little like Delphiniums in habit- it is not a rampant spreader so don't worry about it spreading through the fencing. My garden has always had this plant ('cept not at the moment cos I'm re-doing the small patch where this grew) and I am still here. The only cutting I did was to get rid of the old flowering spike and the dead stems at the end of the season - and I seem to remember these went into the compost but I'm not certain.
I think people are much more conscious of health and safety these days which is why the warnings are there. It would be a shame to stop growing them though.

**glass half full** · 10-04-2010, 07:00 AM

glass half full

Originally posted by selfraising View Post

Okay, naiively I ordered this plant which arrived today, unaware how extremely poisonous it is as I don't know too much about flowers and plants. I now have a dilemma, do I still plant this or do I dispose of it and if I dispose of it, how is the best way to do it. Not sure I want it in the compost bin after what I've read

Yes, Aconitum is listed as a 'harmful plant' but, as with many harmful plants listed, you would have to handle/ingest a great deal for it to have much effect. 'Belt and braces' says handle the seed and plant with gloves but the plant, in my opinion, is so majestic and beautiful that it is worth taking a risk. If you have young children, however, it may be a bit more difficult.

I doubt that composting would be detrimental, as the heat of the compost heap will sterilise any bad effects, I would think, but only dispose of it as compost as a last resort.

This is only from my own personal experience of this beautiful plant but I hope that it will allay some of your fears.

**Two_Sheds** · 10-04-2010, 07:19 AM

SR: larkspur, delphinium, buttercup and clematis are also poisonous. So is lettuce if you eat too much

**selfraising** · 10-04-2010, 10:11 AM

Thanks for all your replys. It certainly looked a beautiful plant in the picture, which is why I was drawn to it plus the added bonus that it tolerates semi shade at the back of the border. There was certainly a lot of hype about it on the internet and for someone like me who knows little about flowers/plants it was difficult to get a balanced perspective hence posting this thread. I think I will give the plant a reprieve and pop it in the flower bed. Can anyone tell me if it needs staking as it seems to get quite tall??

**Two_Sheds** · 10-04-2010, 04:26 PM

I Googled "how to grow monkshood"

Most aconitums do not need staking.

It's gorgeous, I think I'll add it to my wish list for the shady borders

**selfraising** · 10-04-2010, 10:45 PM

Thanks TS. I'm impressed that they will flower even in shade!

**Fernw** · 12-04-2010, 02:29 AM

They are very lovely and they grow them in the Chinese Garden at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh. They're good for heavy clay soils. I can understand your concern but as with other plants all parts of the plant are toxic if eaten and when they are handled may cause skin irritation.

I puppy walk for Guide Dogs for the Blind and I remember checking on what could be unsafe for puppies if they got hold of anything around the garden such as Foxgloves and Hellebores etc.

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Aconitum Napellus (monkshood)

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