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Carmichel aconite is a beautiful perennial shrub with blue-white flowers collected in dense inflorescences. It is characterized by unpretentiousness and high winter hardiness, which allows it to be successfully grown in most regions of Our Country.
Description of aconite Carmichel Arendsi
Aconite Carmichel Arendsi (Aconitum carmichaelii Arendsi) is a perennial flowering shrub of small height up to 80-100 cm from the Buttercup family. The branches are straight, arranged compactly. Leaves grassy green. Aconite begins to bloom in the first half of July (until the beginning of September). Flowers form elongated inflorescences (up to 60 cm). Aconite Arends (pictured) has two-color petals in blue and white shades.
Aconite Carmichel decorates the garden with original flowers of bright color
The plant is winter-hardy: aconite withstands frosts down to -40 ° C. Therefore, it can be bred in almost any region of Our Country – the Central part, the Urals, Siberia, the Far East.
Application in landscape design
Aconite Carmichel looks good both in single and in group plantings. It is combined with different flowers and ornamental plants:
- irises;
- astilbe;
- peonies;
- yarrows;
- daylilies
When compiling compositions, attention is paid to the combination of heights and colors (best of all, the blue shades of aconite are in harmony with the yellow inflorescences of other crops).
The plant looks beautiful in mixborders, simple and complex flower beds, in single plantings on well-groomed lawns.
Aconite is suitable for growing in ground flowerpots, flowerpots
The culture is used for vertical gardening of fences, canopies, gazebos and other structures.
Aconite pairs especially well with orange and yellow flowers.
The plant can be used for landscaping the far corners of the garden.
Aconite Arends is in harmony with white plants
Features of reproduction
Aconite Carmichel can be propagated:
- seeds;
- cuttings;
- tubers;
- division of the bush.
The first method is the most time-consuming, so it is used infrequently. Seeds are initially sown before winter or stratified in the refrigerator to simulate natural conditions. In this case, flowering will begin no earlier than 2-3 years.
It is very easy to propagate Carmichel’s aconite with cuttings. To do this, in May, several green shoots are cut, planted in open ground under a film or agrofibre. After a few weeks, the plant will take root, after which it is transplanted to a permanent place.
You can dilute aconite with tubers in early September: put 2-3 pieces in the hole, bury, water and leave for the winter. The bush should be divided in the spring, preferably once every 4 years. It is dug out with a sharp shovel, and then divided with a knife into several sections. Each of them is dug in with soil to a shallow depth of up to 3 cm and watered abundantly.
Planting and care
Carmichel’s aconite is an unpretentious plant that takes root well on almost any soil, except for heavy rocky and sandy, as well as waterlogged, swampy soils.
Recommended dates
It is optimal to plant aconite seedlings in the spring, when the soil is already warm enough – in most regions this is mid-May. In the south, it is allowed to plant a plant at the end of April. There is another period – mid-September, about a month before the onset of the first frost.
Site selection and soil preparation
There are no special requirements for a place to plant a plant, since Carmichel’s aconite feels good both in an open area and in the shade of trees. It is advisable to place it on a hill, and not in a lowland, where moisture constantly accumulates. If possible, the place should be protected from open winds.
Since the plant is poisonous, it is extremely important that the planting site is not accessible to children, as well as pets. The site is pre-cleaned and dug up, and a complex mineral fertilizer is applied in the amount of 50-60 g per m2.
Landing algorithm
The sequence of actions when planting Carmichel’s aconite is as follows:
- Inspect seedlings and remove any damaged roots.
- Prepare several holes at a distance of 60-70 cm (depth and width should correspond to the size of the roots).
- Lay a drainage layer on the bottom – small stones, pebbles, broken bricks.
- Set seedlings, sprinkle with earth mixed with a few pinches of sand, lightly tamp.
- Pour abundantly and mulch with peat, humus, needles, straw.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
Aconite Carmichel belongs to drought-resistant plants. However, it needs regular watering. The soil should not be too waterlogged, at the same time cracking of the surface layer is unacceptable. Therefore, in the summer during the dry period, you can water 2-3 times a month. If precipitation is plentiful, the plant does not need additional moisture.
If fertilizers were applied to the site or to the planting hole, then in the first season Karmichel’s aconite does not need to be fed. The following year, at the end of spring, compost can be applied, and at the end of June (before flowering) – a complex mineral fertilizer. You don’t need to feed anything else.
Loosening, mulching
The roots need a constant flow of air, so periodically you need to loosen the surface layer of the soil. This is especially important when fertilizing and watering. You need to mulch the roots immediately after planting – for example, with peat, humus, straw. This will keep the soil moist longer. In addition, a layer of mulch will prevent the development of weeds.
Care during the flowering period
During flowering, Carmichel’s aconite needs more attention. It is necessary to monitor watering – the surface layer of the soil should always remain slightly moist. Also, experienced summer residents are advised to immediately remove fading inflorescences. The cut point can be treated in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Thanks to this, the growth of other flowers is activated – as a result, flowering will last longer and be more magnificent.
Preparation for winter
Despite good winter hardiness, Carmichel’s aconite in the fall begins to prepare for the cold period. To do this, the plant is completely cut off, leaving shoots 4-5 cm high. Then it is covered with dry peat, foliage, spruce branches. In March, this shelter is removed so that the soil has time to dry out.
Pests and diseases
Aconite Carmichel has good immunity. However, it can suffer from pests and diseases, the appearance of which is often associated with care (insufficient or excessive watering, applying a large amount of fertilizer). Due to violation of the rules of agricultural technology, powdery mildew settles on the plant. The main signs are withering stems and leaves.
In this case, it is necessary to remove all affected shoots and treat the aconite with any fungicide:
- Bordeaux liquid;
- Fundazol;
- “Maksim”;
- “Acrobat”;
- “Score”;
- “Tatu”.
Another disease of aconite is associated with a viral infection, due to which the flowers begin to turn green and deform. The carriers of the pathogen are insects (mites, aphids and others). In addition, nematodes periodically parasitize the bushes. You can cope with these pests with the help of insecticides:
- “Aktara”;
- Carbophos;
- “Karate”;
- “Mercaptophos”;
- Phosphamide and others.
You can also deal with insects with home remedies. To do this, use a solution of baking soda, ammonia, shavings of laundry soap, infusion of garlic, onion peel and other recipes.
Conclusion
Aconite Carmichel is one of the most beautiful flowering shrubs, attracting attention with original blue flowers. Growing this flower on the site is very simple. It must be remembered that the plant is poisonous, so you can only contact it with gloves.
