Id-Code: AA 094
Family: Ranunculaceae
Origin: Europe, Asia and North America
Special Features: Spikes of deep blue hooded flowers
History: All plant parts are toxic including the roots. Aconitum was used by the barbarians to poison the tips of their arrows.
Colour: Deep blue
Natural Flowering Period: June - August
Winter Hardiness Zones: Z3-7
Growth Habit: Upright
Foliage: Bright green lobed leaves
Height with Flowers: 90 cm (36'')
Spacing between Plants: 75 cm (30'')
Soil Requirements: Well-drained soils, pH 5.8 - 6.8
Location: Full sun
Use: Plant in the summer border with Echinacea 'Rocky Top Hybr.', Penstemon x mexicale 'Sunburst Ruby' and Peucedanum verticillare
Specialities: Cut flower candidate

Cultural Tips:
Grams per 1000 Seeds: 2,5
Seeds per Gram: 400
Seeding Recommendation: 10 g / 1000 plants
Sowing Rate: 2-3 seeds per cell
Plug tray recommended size(s): 128 or 288
Germination: Most species of the Ranunculus-family need lower temperatures during the cooling-period - about -5°C [23°F]. The reason is probably the freezing point of these seeds, which is at -7°C [19°F], while most other seeds freeze at -5 °C [23°F].

Scheduling:
Best Sowing Dates: November - March
Sowing to Germination: 8 - 10 weeks
Germination to Transplant: 4 - 8 weeks
Transplanting to Salable Plant: 6 - 10 weeks
Cutting-Back at Transplanting: Cut-back once to keep more compact

Growing On:
Container Size(s): 1 plug per 11/12 cm (4 1/2''); 2 plugs per 15 cm (6'')
Vernalization: There is no current research on vernalization but a prudent recommendation for any perennial would be 6-12 weeks (a few might need 15 weeks!) at an average daily temperature of 40°F (5°C). Exposure to cold may not be necessary for flowering but might improve quality.
Forcing: An obvious place to experiment - following vernalization - would be raising daytime temperatures to 60° - 65°F (15° - 17°C). Provide 16 hours of continuous lighting. During the short days of winter, provide a night interruption lighting of 4 hours between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.
Fertilization: High (200-300 ppm)