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Re: [SG] Aconitums

Hello Kristl,
        I received a Aconitum new to me from a friend up in Michigan earlier this
year. She insisted and sent it for my own good. I potted it up to watch it
for a while, then thought what the heck and found a spot in the garden for
it. Sure glad she twisted my arm about a quarter of an inch. This thing is
beautiful and great performer. It is A. carmichaelii 'Barker's Variety'. It
is deep amhurst blue, comes into bloom the beginning of September and is
still in bloom. Be interesting to see how our first hard freeze of the
season affects its performance. Looks like it will be between 3 and 4 feet
in height. Stems are heavy and stiffly upright. Good rich green foliage.
now looking for a wholesale source so I can pass this one on. Are you
familiar with this variety?
        A. septentrionale ivorine has been in the garden for some years now. Great
foliage plant, but when it comes into bloom the stalks get too thin and the
blooms droop over on to other plants. Too much shade? Gets lots of light,
but no real sun.
        Thank you for the list below of your favorites and some information on
culture. Practical experience is so valuable and it is generous of you to
pass it on. Anyone else with growing experience they would like to share?
        Gene Bush     Southern Indiana    Zone 6a     Munchkin Nursery
          around the woods - around the world
genebush@otherside.com     http://www.munchkinnursery.com

----------
> 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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