Monkshood query

I would like to ask a question to anyone who has experience growing Monkshood.

I found the only example of the plant I've ever seen earlier this summer, growing in the wild. It's leaves and blue flowers were unmistakeable. It was a fairly large, bushy specimen about a metre high. I went back to the site a week ago to show a friend, but the plant had vanished. I can't seem to find the answer on google. So my question is does Monkshood die back at the end of each growing season, or has somebody come along and removed the plant?

Thanks in advance, Woodwanderer

 

I have Monkshood in the garden and can confirm it does die back at the end of the season, but not yet. It does go very dry and spindly after flowering, so maybe other plants and vegetation have grown up and hidden it.

It's a lovely plant, made all the more fascinating for me because of it's reputation.

 

If someone did take it it's a shame they took the entire plant! I thought maybe a do-gooder figured it was dangerous to passers-by and gallantly removed the threat. Who knows.

I've never come across any cultivars. If I get a garden one day though I would like an Aconitum in it me thinks.

Thanks for the information.

Yes that is a possibility as there are lots of different plants growing in this area in close proximity. Because of the size and obviousness of the plant I thought I would find it straight away. We didn't spend that long looking so it might have been covered up.

Thanks both for your replies

 

I had Monkshood in my last garden.
Yes, it does die back into the ground and as it goes the leaves and stems just make a pile of dry foliage.
Maybe you missed it. I think if someone had dug it out the patch of disturbed earth would have been quite obvious.
Go back for a look next year and I hope you're lucky.

 

Thanks I think i do remember some piles of dry foliage there. Because i didn't see what i expected to see i made other conclusions, plus we were in a rush so that didn't help.

 

Sparks Variety is a good one to go for if you want it in your garden.

 

Well that looks very similar or possibly the same as the one I saw. I thought it was the original wilde version. What is that you like particularly about this variety?

By the way i don't have my own garden yet :dh:

 

How did I know you would have that in your garden before I even opened this thread Aaron ?:D

 

I do have non poisonous plants in the garden as well Ziggy! :D