About
Aconitum hemsleyanum is a climbing perennial that can reach heights of 2 to 5 meters. It features vine-like, divided leaves that are mid-green and have a distinct three-lobed shape. In late summer and early autumn, it produces hooded lilac flowers that appear in drooping clusters.
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
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Climber Wall Shrub
- Habit
- Climbing
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
- Native to
- China
- 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
- Ideally grown where it may scramble through a shrub or hedge in moisture-retentive fertile soil in part shade. Sun and most soils are tolerated
- Pruning
- Cut back in winter; use protective gloves
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed. Use protective gloves when handling any part of the plant
- 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