I'm starting this because of my fascination for Aconitums.
I have over 20 different cultivars/varieties and I am getting together a list of all or as many named cultivars/varieties and descriptions.
If anybody has any problems with their own I will try to help if I can.
The aim is to write a book on them and a web site dedicated to them.
If anybody does it before me I will rip off their arm and beat them with the soggy end ;oP
I have also posted this on the Perrenials forum.
Steve
This message was edited Aug 12, 2006 5:08 PM
This message was edited Aug 14, 2006 8:16 PM
Aconitums
This is known an can be bought under the following names but it is all the same plant.
Aconitum Napellus 'Albidium',
Aconitum Napellus 'Album',
Aconitum Napellus subsp. Vulgare 'Albidium',
Aconitum Napellus subsp. Vulgare 'Album'.
Aconitum Napellus subsp. Vulparia 'Albidium',
Aconitum Napellus subsp. Vulparia 'Album'.
Another of the above
Is there such a thing as a pink aconitum? Or all they all variations on blue/purple/ white? Mine are all blue/white . I like them because they are flowering mid summer, in the shade. Willl be splitting the ones in my south shade bed and moving some to the north shade bed for more color this time of year.
carolvan
Hi Carolvan
Yes there are pink aconites. There are five that I know of
Aconitum Cammarum 'Pink Sensation'
Aconitum Carmichaelii 'Pink Sensation'
Aconitum Naniculatum 'Roseum'
Aconitum Napellus 'Carneum'
Aconitum Napellus 'Rubellum'
The first two are the same plant but is known under two names
This is Aconitum Carmichaelii 'Pink Sensation'
Thanks!
We have a Hort. Society members only night this evening at one of the greenhouses - wine and cheese and staff discount on top of our society discount! On the look out for pink aconitum among other things!
carolvan
I think that you only have the large flowered Aconites, did you know that there are small flowered Aconites?
These are available in Yellow, White and Pale Green.
They are more leggy than the others and may need support.
This is Aconitum Lycoctonum subsp Vulparia
There are also Bi-color as well
Aconitum Cammarum 'Bicolor'
dont know the name but mine are all bicolor (splits from the original plant!)
Time for some new colors if I can find them!
If you can post photos of the flowers and leaves I will try to identify them for you.
This is the latest one to flower, noticed it this morning
Aconitum Grossdentatum
In your forthcoming book, I hope you will discuss cultivation, and include the poisonous aspect of this plant. I'm not being judgmental, but the information would be useful.
For example, cows seem to avoid aconites in pasture. How and why does this happen? What are the implications for pets? Children? For me, handling them when transplanting, staking, etc?
Also, be sure to advise on exposure, soil texture and acidity. In my experience, these are critical.
Or perhaps you just want to list the cultivars?
Just some thoughts. --A
Well no luck finding any new Aconitums. Nothing anywhere! Lady who orders plants at the greenhouse where we had our 'members night only' function told me they were just at a meeting recently where they were told there had been a crop failure with the Aconitums and therefore no supplies!
Steve - You now anything about this?
Hi andycdn
You can be as judgmental as you like.
I am reserving a whole chapter on the cultivation and the poison aspect will be mentioned a lot.
The cattle not eating them is something for me to research as I have not come across this before.
Pets seem to avoid them, rabbits and deer do not touch them either, more research into why not is needed as well.
See, you have given me something to think about.
Children. My advice is either don't grow them or grow them at the back of the border out of reach.
When handling them I always wear gloves and cover any cut or graze with a band aid (plaster in UK)
Exposure, soil etc will be covered in the general description and with each individual plant if different.
Thank you for your thoughts.
Steve
I totally agree with this thought! ROTFL
"Children. My advice is either don't grow them or grow them at the back of the border out of reach."
I understand you were talking about the plant..... but it works well for kids too!
Linda, just teasing of course.
Hi Carolvan
No I don't know anything about the crop failure, it might just be her suppliers crop that has failed. You could always try the internet and check there.
Over here, because of the drought, I nearly lost some of mine. It was watering cans at dawn and dusk every day.
Steve
Hi Linda.
I know, I didn't mean for it to read that way, but it could be true on both meanings lol ;oP
Steve
Here is A. napellus 'Carneum' from the heritage garden at our local botanical garden.
Hi Todd_Boland
Very good photo. Haven't got that cultivar yet. Also known as A. Napellus ssp Vulgare 'Carneum'
Seeing your a 'research horticulturist for the Memorial University Botanical Garden' I hope you haven't spotted any mistakes yet, and if you do please tell me.
Steve
Here's a close-up of 'Bicolor'
Beautiful!
Don Ü
Here is a close-up of one of my 'freak' bicolors. This was spotted in 2005. Was hoping it would do it again this year, but it didn't. It was only one flower on the whole plant.
A. Cammarum 'Bicolor'
Steve
Here is a photo to show the difference in color and size of a couple of Aconitums.
That is my thumb and fore finger to give a sense of size. The A. Fischerii is from my container grown plant, the ones in the garden are not yet in full bloom. Note: A. Fischerii flower size - nearly 2"
L-R A. Fischerii, A. Grossdentatum, A. Lycoctonum subsp Vulparia, A. Lycoctonum
The RHS at Wisley are doing a trial of Aconitums next year. I have been invited to enter some of mine. That was a while back, and we have just come back from taking 3 plants of A. Fischeri there. They have been planted in one of the trial beds and the trial will begin summer/fall 2007. The woman in charge said she will give us a tour of the trials when they start.
If you are in the area and want a good day out then Wisley is a good choice. RHS members are admitted free and non-members it costs £7.50 thats about US$15 CA$16
I have posted for an Aconitum Forum, I'm hoping Dave will say yes. If not, never mind.
Steve
This message was edited Sep 19, 2006 4:13 PM
Here is a relatively new variation on A. Hemsleyanum.
A. Hemsleyanum 'Red Wine'
This is from my collection of photos found on the internet and scanned from magazines. I will edit this when I find who owns its copywrite.
Steve
A. Hemsleyanum 'Red Wine'
Started blooming 2 days ago, this was taken this morning
A. Carmichaelii 'Barkers Variety'
Have posted a list of my Aconitums on the 'Perennials' forum
Steve
Well, they have all died back. I am well pleased with the show of flowers this year, and they can only be better next year.
Time to dig up and check on the roots, divide and replant, not forgetting to label and mark where they are planted so I don't loose them. This will give me a good opportunity to photograph the process and show the different root systems.
Have been doing searches for Aconitum and Monkshood in DG forums.
Have been reading other peoples threads and a few people have mentioned this one. Well done, keep up the good work.
All the photos I post are of my own plants unless mentioned otherwise. I try to credit the owner and/or company and their web sites when I can.
I felt bad because the freeze had taken my plants and I had nothing to contribute to your thread. We are mentioning Monkshood in the cottage threads. (Roadrunners.) I have this one bookmarked tho and look forward to getting some new colors next spring.
Trivia Time
For what insect has the Aconitum evolded its flowers for?
Answer will be posted in a few days.
Steve
Bumblebees come to mind just because I watch them push their heads into the Platycodons that stay in a balloon shape. They have to be strong to get the nectar. Hummingbirds aren't insects, or I might have guessed them.
sorry its a bit late, been working long hours.
The Answer Is .............................................. Bumble Bee!
Well done to billyporter and wallaby1
The flower of the Aconitum has developed over the centuries to be pollinated by the humble Bumble Bee. Any other insects on or in the flower are only after the nectar and will not activate the stamens that press down onto the bees abdomen.
Cleared away the old stems today and found fresh growth, only a few leaves at the moment on all but a couple, just breaking through the mulch.
My A. Hemsleyanum has survived the winter and is looking healthy and has made 3 more tubers, so I will be splitting them later in the year (will start a thread to show how its done)
Steve
Cool! I ordered a couple new ones this year. Selection wasn't great, but that's ok. I have no idea where these are going yet.