Aconitum septentrionale aka Wolfsbane

Aconitum septentrionale also goes by the name northern wolfsbane. It belongs to the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. This plant lives for years. It grows across northern Europe, Siberia, and northern China. Its range also takes in Mongolia and parts of Central Asia. It grows at forest edges and in rich meadows. Some botanists place it within Aconitum lycoctonum. They do not treat it as a separate species.

The plant grows upright and has tall flower stalks. These can rise above 6 feet [1.8 metres]. Its flowers come in shades of blue, lavender, and purple. Chicago Botanic Garden gives May to June as its bloom season. Plants For A Future gives a longer season, through July. Bees pollinate the flowers, moving pollen from bloom to bloom. The plant also draws butterflies and birds to gardens. Its height suits the rear of a border. It can also stand alone as a specimen plant.

Grow it in sun or partial shade, with moist soil. It also suits the light shade beneath trees. Gardens in open woods suit it, too. It accepts sandy soil, loam, and clay, even heavy clay. The soil can be slightly acid, neutral, or slightly alkaline. Plants For A Future says it prefers lime-rich soil. Chicago Botanic Garden lists USDA hardiness zones 3–7. Plants For A Future reports that it withstands cold near −25°C. Both sources say it suits cool growing conditions.

Sow fresh seed in a cold frame once it ripens. Stored seed may need a spell of cold before spring sowing. Such seed can take time to sprout. Keep young plants in a cold frame through their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. You can also split plants to raise new ones. Sources differ on the best season for this task. They suggest spring, autumn, or late winter. Deer tend to leave it alone, which adds value in woods. Plants For A Future warns that it can hinder nearby plants. These include legumes, the pea and bean family.

Treat this species as poisonous, not as a food crop. Plants For A Future warns that every part is highly toxic. It says skin contact can cause numbness in some people. Old accounts mention boiled roots and cooked young leaves. The same source warns against trusting those reports of food use. Chicago Botanic Garden notes a past use for the root poison. People put it on arrows used for hunting. These accounts do not show safe use as food or medicine.