Perennial · Ranunculaceae family
Carmichael's monkshood
Aconitum carmichaelii
In short a 10-second read
Carmichael's monkshood (perennial) grows to 1–1.4 m tall and 0.4–0.5 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil. It flowers in September–October; the flowers are blue. Hardy to −40 °C.
× spread 0.4–0.5 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −40 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
average to moist · watering: moderate
Soil: loamy, clay, humus-rich
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 2–5 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
September–October · blue
Pruning
No pruning needed — just remove dead or damaged parts.
Planting
container plant: March–May, September–November
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −40 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −40 °C
- Dies back in winter and regrows in spring
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does Carmichael's monkshood flower?
In September–October; the flowers are blue.
Does Carmichael's monkshood tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does Carmichael's monkshood need?
At maturity 0.4–0.5 m wide and 1–1.4 m tall; recommended spacing 43 cm.
Does Carmichael's monkshood survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −40 °C.
Toxicity
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 18 October 2026.
Show sources (17)
- Foerster-Stauden Shop (Aconitum carmichaelii 'Arendsii')
- Sarastro Stauden (Aconitum carmichaelii)
- Bamberger Staudengarten
- NC State Extension Plant Toolbox (rod Aconitum)
- Bamberger Staudengarten (Strobler), katalóg
- RHS Plant Finder (Hardiness, Soil Types)
- Wikidata (CC0) — Aconitum carmichaelii
- Iowa State Extension - How to Plant Perennials
- RHS - How to grow perennial plants
- Tox Info Suisse — Giftige Garten- und Wildpflanzen
- BfR / GIZ — Liste giftiger Pflanzenarten
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
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