About

Aconitum anthora is a perennial that typically grows upright and forms dense clumps, reaching a height of approximately 75 cm. Its foliage consists of rounded, deeply lobed leaves that are dark green and often hairy. In mid to late summer, this plant produces compact racemes featuring pale yellow flowers, which may also display a blue-violet hue and are characterized by their distinctive hooded shape.

About the genus

Aconitum consists of herbaceous perennials or biennials characterized by lobed foliage and clusters of hooded flowers arranged in racemes or panicles.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type
Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H7

Plant details

Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial
Habit
Clump forming
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
0.5-1 metres
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
Architectural, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Toxicity
TOXIC if eaten, avoid skin contact. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: TOXIC if eaten, avoid skin contact - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers

Care notes

Cultivation
Grows best in deep, cool, moisture-retentive soil in partial shade, but will also tolerate most soils and full sun if soil is humus-rich and protected with mulch to ensure that it is moist throughout the growing season; use protective gloves
Pruning
No pruning required except cutting back dead stems; use protective gloves
Propagation
Propagate by division in autumn or late winter; division every few years may encourage good flowering stems, though plants may be slow to re-establish; use protective gloves
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to aphids
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to fungal stem rot, powdery mildews, and Verticillium wilt