Monkshood Aconitum 'Bressingham Spire'

Water

Monkshood 'Bressingham Spire' prefers consistent moisture but it is important not to overwater, which can cause root rot. Typically, watering once a week with approximately 1 to 1.5 gallons of water is sufficient, depending on the local climate and weather conditions. During particularly hot or dry periods, you might need to water more frequently to maintain soil moisture. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again to ensure the plant is not sitting in too wet soil. In cooler, wetter spells, reduce the frequency of watering to prevent waterlogging.

Light

Monkshood 'Bressingham Spire' thrives best in partial shade. It can tolerate a few hours of morning sunlight but should be protected from the intense afternoon sun. An ideal spot would be an area that receives filtered sunlight or a location with morning light and afternoon shade, which will provide the optimal light conditions for healthy growth.

Temperature

Monkshood 'Bressingham Spire' is hardy and can tolerate temperatures as low as 0°F in the winter. During the growing season, the ideal temperature range is between 60°F to 75°F. Extreme heat over 90°F can stress the plant, especially if coupled with high humidity.

Pruning

Prune Monkshood 'Bressingham Spire' primarily to remove spent flowers and encourage a second bloom. Deadheading after the initial flowering can promote a more compact growth habit and potentially lead to a second, though less profuse, bloom period. Pruning can be done throughout the blooming season as flowers fade. In late fall or early winter, after the plant has gone dormant, cut back the foliage to ground level to maintain tidiness and help prevent disease.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Monkshood 'Bressingham Spire' thrives in well-drained, moist soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. A good soil mix for this plant would be equal parts garden soil, peat moss or compost, and perlite to ensure proper drainage and fertility.

Repotting

Monkshood 'Bressingham Spire' is a perennial and typically does not need to be repotted. It's best to divide the plants every 2-3 years to maintain their health and vigor.

Humidity & Misting

Monkshood 'Bressingham Spire' prefers average to high humidity levels, but as a garden plant, it is generally adaptable to outdoor humidity conditions and does not require specific humidity adjustments.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright, indirect light and keep soil moist.

• Outdoor

  Plant in part shade, moist soil, and mulch in spring.

• Hardiness zone

  3-8 USDA

Life cycle

Monkshood 'Bressingham Spire' begins its life cycle as a seed, requiring cold stratification to break dormancy. Upon germination in spring, it develops a rosette of deeply divided, dark green leaves. As it matures, this perennial sends up flowering stalks that can reach up to 90 cm tall, blooming in mid to late summer with dense spikes of hooded, deep indigo to violet flowers. After flowering, it sets seed in small capsules, dispersing them to perpetuate the next generation. In autumn, the above-ground foliage of the plant dies back to the ground, leaving the tuberous rootstock to overwinter. With the return of spring, new shoots emerge from the rootstock, repeating the growth cycle.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Early Spring

• Propogation: The Aconitum 'Bressingham Spire', commonly known as Monkshood, is best propagated by division in the spring. This method involves carefully lifting the plant out of the soil and gently separating the roots into smaller sections, each with at least one shoot or growth bud. These sections are then replanted at the same depth they were growing previously, spaced about 24 inches (approximately 60 centimeters) apart to allow for growth. Water the new plantings thoroughly to help establish them. Division helps to rejuvenate older plants and is an effective way to produce new plants identical to the parent specimen.