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Wrestler or aconite napellus (Aconitum napellus) is a species of perennial plants with a wide range: it grows in Europe, Poland, Germany. In Russia, the main cluster is observed in the European part. It received its specific name for the resemblance of flowers to a monastic headdress. The plant is also known as nodule aconite blue.
Description of nodule aconite
A perennial plant from the Buttercup family has a history that dates back to Greek and Scandinavian myths. This attention to culture is due to its toxic chemical composition. The roots and the entire aerial part of the nodular aconite contain diterpene alkaloids, which are toxic to living organisms. Even a small fraction of pure aconitine can be fatal in humans.
Externally, the nodule aconite looks quite attractive:
- The height of the herbaceous plant is within 1.5 m. It grows singly or forms several peduncles, visually perceived as a bush.
- The root system is tuberous, superficial, depending on the age of the plant and the looseness of the soil, it is deepened by 15-30 cm.
- Every year, the nodule aconite forms new tubers, the old ones die off at the end of the growing season. The number of stems is directly proportional to the formed roots, on each of them the shoot gives only 1 peduncle.
- Stems are erect, with a shallow edge, dark green, tapering towards the top.
- Inflorescences are pyramidal, flowers are located on the stem on short petioles, begin to form from the middle to the end of the upper part.
- In wild specimens of aconite, they are of an irregular shape in the form of a helmet, wide. Bumblebees are the only pollinator of the species, so the size of the aconite flower can easily accommodate a rather large insect.
- Leaves are dark green, pinnately dissected, wide, consist of 5-7 lobes. Located at the base of the bush.
Wild species of nodular aconite are distinguished by blue flowers, hybrids are white, light purple and variegated
Popular varieties
Klobuchkovy aconite has more than 250 varieties classified by territorial distribution. There are no clear boundaries between them. Some representatives of nodule aconite are taken as the basis for hybridization. Experts have created decorative varieties for design and gardening. Cultivars vary in color and height, otherwise their biological requirements are the same as those of the wild species.
Rubellum
Aconite nodule Rubellum (Rubellum) is a perennial hybrid culture. Grows up to 1 m in height. Forms many peduncles. Flowers are solitary, up to 10 cm in diameter, arranged along the stem on short, thick petioles. The flowers are five-petal, light pink, the upper part is in the form of a helmet. Filaments are long, chaotically arranged, beige with a pinkish tint and maroon anthers.
The flowering period of the Rubellum variety lasts from July to August.
Bicolor
Aconite nodule Bicolor is one of the brightest representatives of culture. Grows in the form of a herbaceous bush. Stems are branched, leafy to inflorescences, leaves are deeply dissected, the closer to the crown, the smaller.Panicle inflorescences consist of large flowers with a double color, the general background is light blue with a blue border along the edge. Blooms from June to August
The flowering of the Bicolor species is abundant, the stems droop under the weight, therefore, a garter is necessary for aconite
Album
Aconite nodule Album (Album) is a dense, compact, herbaceous shrub. In width, it can grow up to 80 cm, in height reaches 120 cm. Inflorescences-clusters consist of large white flowers with a lemon core. Leaves are dense, glossy, deeply dissected, located at the base, dark green. The buds open in June, flowering ends in August.
Nodular aconite Album is widely used in the creation of white gardens
Pink sensation
Aconite Pink Sensation - one of the large-flowered, tall hybrids, grows up to 1.5 m. Stems are erect, thin. At the ends, pyramidal panicle inflorescences are formed. The color of the flowers is dark pink, a few tones darker along the edge. Anthers are brown. There are few leaves, they are located near the ground, dark green, dissected.
Aconita Pink Sensation is characterized by long flowering that starts in the first half of June and ends in late August.
Spire of Bressingham
Nodular aconite Bressingham Spire is a herbaceous plant reaching 1.8 m in height. Forms 2-4 powerful peduncles, flowers begin to form a paniculate raceme almost at the base of the stem, so the plant looks very decorative. This is one of the darkest varieties, flowers of the standard form for nodular aconite, blue with streaks of ink color.
Spire of Bressingham - the latest variety, the buds open in September, the plant blooms before the cold weather
Application in landscape design
Tall herbaceous shrubs are used in almost all design ideas. Klobuchkovy Aconite is decorative not only during flowering, thanks to the shape of the leaves, it decorates the site the rest of the time. The culture is used:
- to create a hedge;
- for decorating a landscape in the style of wild nature;
- for the purpose of marking a garden path, when forming impromptu alleys;
- in compositions with flowering and decorative species of flora;
- in floristry for bouquets.
Breeding features
Aconite nodule is a root-tuber culture, it is propagated by dividing the mother plant in spring or autumn. To rejuvenate the bush, the procedure is recommended every 3 years.
You can propagate nodule aconite by cuttings. The material is harvested from young shoots before flowering and immediately placed in the soil for rooting. The process is unproductive, only 15-20% of harvested cuttings will yield planting material.
Wild species of aconite nodule are suitable for generative reproduction, but the process is quite long, the seeds can be in the soil for a year and germinate only the next season. For hybrids, seed propagation is not used, since in the end it is possible to get plants that do not resemble the mother.
Planting and leaving
Klobuchkovy aconite and its cultural varieties are unpretentious in care, are characterized by good acclimatization in a new place. The plant is perennial, therefore, when choosing a site for planting, the biological needs for lighting and soil moisture are taken into account.
Recommended timing
The nape wrestler is a frost-resistant culture, therefore, planting is carried out at the beginning and at the end of the season. Spring is suitable for cultivation of tubers, events are held approximately at the end of April.
Aconite seedlings obtained from cuttings can be placed on the site at the end of August or left until spring. It is better to divide the bush after the flowering period. For rooting, the plant needs three weeks; this parameter is used to determine the timing of autumn planting.
Site selection and soil preparation
Basic requirements for the soil: it must be fertile, with good aeration and without moisture stagnation.During the period of autumn rains on an undrained area, nodule aconite may die. The place for varieties with light or white flowers is open. The blue or purple wrestler is placed in partial shade, since the color of the flowers fades in the sun.
Dig up a place for planting, remove the roots of the weed. Humus is introduced, if the soils are heavy, they are mixed with sand and mineral fertilizers must be added.
Landing algorithm
The planting material is cleaned of soil residues and treated with a growth stimulant.
Planting nodular aconite:
- The hole is dug in accordance with the root system of the seedling, it should be completely covered with soil, but not too deep.
- The bottom is covered with a drainage pad and a layer of nutrient substrate.
- The plant is placed in the center so that the replacement buds are deepened at least 5 cm.If the hole is deep, soil is poured.
- The root is covered with a nutrient mixture and watered.
It is advisable to close the root circle with mulch.
Watering and feeding schedule
Aconite napellus responds well to feeding. At the beginning of the season, nitrogen-containing agents are introduced; this can be done together with liquid organic matter. At the time of budding, they are fed with phosphorus-based preparations. During the flowering period, fertilize with potassium and phosphate preparations. Organic matter can be applied in unlimited quantities at any time.
Water nodule aconite as the soil dries out, it is impossible to overmoisten the plant. The culture responds better to moisture deficit than to excess. The root system is located close to the surface, so there is enough rainfall, especially if the soil around is covered with chips or sawdust.
Loosening, mulching
Loose the trunk circle, not going deep so as not to damage the root. The procedure is carried out at the first signs of the formation of a compaction of the upper layer. Aeration is a prerequisite for full development. Mulching will shorten the loosening procedure several times, preserve the optimum moisture content of the soil. Caring for aconite will consist only in removing weeds.
Flowering care
The buds on the inflorescences do not bloom at the same time. At the end of the life cycle, the flowers wither, the plant loses its decorative effect. It is recommended to cut off the faded inflorescences, this will be the impetus for the friendly blooming of the buds. The procedure will improve the aesthetic appearance of the bush.
Preparing for winter
The plant is perennial, but the entire aerial part dies off at the end of the growing season. The main task of the gardener is to keep the root system from damage.
Preparatory activities:
- All aboveground part is cut close to the soil surface.
- Water charging is carried out.
- Cover the root with peat, straw or dry leaves. If the seedling is of the current year, and the temperatures in winter in the region are low, you should additionally close the plant with spruce branches or any covering material.
In the spring, mulch is removed and hardened. With a sharp increase in daytime and a decrease in nighttime temperatures, the plant will quickly resume vegetation.
Pests and diseases
Aconite may be affected by:
- powdery mildew. The drug "Fundazol" is effective from it;
- circular mosaic. Get rid of the problem by removing the affected areas and treating with copper sulfate;
- the most dangerous disease is viral greening, which completely destroys inflorescences and quickly spreads to nearby growing crops. It will not be possible to cure aconite, at the first sign it is removed from the site.
Despite the fact that the culture is toxic, it is parasitized by aphids. They destroy insects with "Aktara". A common pest on aconite is the rape flower beetle. Treat the bush with any pesticide.
Conclusion
Aconite nodule is a poisonous perennial plant with a wide distribution area. A tall culture is represented by hybrid forms with different colors and flowering times. Aconite is used in gardening and landscape design. Ornamental varieties are suitable for cutting.The plant is frost-resistant, tolerates drought calmly, and is characterized by simple agricultural techniques.
