Species Columbia Monkshood

Columbia Monkshood

Aconitum columbianum subsp. columbianum

Columbia Monkshood is a tall and hardy perennial native to North America. It is part of the Aconitum family that also includes monkshood and wolfsbane. It has a showy display of bright, star-shaped blue to purple blossoms and large, dark green foliage. The plant can prosper in moist, well-drained soil and partial sun to partial shade light settings. The seeds are poisonous and should not be consumed or handled without extreme care. This species will thrive in colder climates with proper care and will reward with an elegant, long-lasting addition to a garden.

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Layering Propagation,Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Poisonous To Humans:

Yes

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

watering

Columbia Monkshood should be watered every 7-10 days during the growing season, from mid-spring to mid-fall. Water thoroughly until the top 1 or 2 inches of soil feels dry to the touch. In the winter months, water Columbia Monkshood sparsely. Only water your plant if the soil is dry several inches deep. Soil should feel dry at least 4 inches below the surface before watering again.

sunlight

Columbia Monkshood typically grows best in full sun to partial shade, receiving a minimum of 4-6 hours of direct sunlight on most days. In areas with hot summers, some afternoon shade may be beneficial to keep the plants from drying out. In cooler climates, full sun is preferable. Winter sunlight is also important for plant health and blooming. Avoid areas that receive direct, overhead sunlight for more than a few hours a day.

pruning

Columbia Monkshood should be pruned to maintain its size and shape at least once a year. Generally, pruning should be done in the late winter or early spring, as soon as the ground is no longer frozen. Before pruning, you should identify any dead or diseased limbs and prune them away. Additionally, you should prune down any stems that are weak and crossing over each other. Lastly, prune any stems that are crowded or rubbing against 1 another and any that are growing too close together. If you need to encourage bushier growth, prune each stem halfway down the sides. While pruning away the excess stems can help control the growth, be sure not to cut away too much as this may put the plant under stress. For optimum growth, it is best to remove only a few flowering stems each year.