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Re: [SG] Aconitums

Because unusual species of Aconitum are not widely available
commercially, one must often undergo the rather painful process of
growing them from seed. Painful because even with fresh seed (which is
ideal) high rates of germination is the exception rather than the
rule. I have however, had some success with establishing many species
in my garden with seed obtained through the exchanges (already 4-6
months dry stored). Most seed will require cold conditioning, and
sometimes taken through a second year outdoors for really adequate
germination. I am grateful if I end up with 1 or 2 plants of the rarer
sorts.

The gorgeous blue Aconitum carmichaelii (wilsonii) has been in
glorious bloom here for weeks & still holding it's own. Each year I
pray for the seed to ripen. If it manages to get to the pod formation
stage before snow, the stalks can be cut and placed in a glass of
water indoors, in bright conditions & the seeds will sometimes
continue ripening.

The earlier Monkshoods, are, of course more reliable here in the
north, starting with the pale yellow A. lycotonum  (septentrionale,
vulparia), napellus (& cultivars,various colours) and  A.x cammarum
all of which are widely available, even in Canada.

Fresh seed of the rarer A. japonicum was obtained originally from a
friend overseas.

Some of my favorites are A. anthora (12" with pale yellow flowers),
A. hemsleyanum (with a twining or scrambling habit, lovely winding its
way through small shrubs in the shade garden), A. heterophyllum (about
1 foot in my garden, with unusual bluish-green flowers, veined
purple), and A. volubile a very hardy climber (really twiner to 12
feet) from Asia with that same unusual blue & green color combination.
The latter I grow in a fair amount of sun, although I believe it would
prefer a slightly shadier spot.

If anyone has fresh seed of Aconitum species other than those listed
above, could you contact me privately & perhaps we can trade. I am
very keen to expand my collection.

Kristl
Gardens North Seed
Z 4 Canada
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