We moved at the end of last year and our new garden is well established. I have been told that there is a plant called Monkshood in one of the beds and having read a lThis plant can be very invasive and has long deep growing rootsittle about it on the internet I'm now quite concerned and would like to get rid of it as I have small children who like to explore the garden. I know the area it is in but not sure what it will look like when it starts to grow this year. What do I do? Wait until I see the flower and dig it out or try to work out what the leaf looks like and dig it out then? Can I then be sure it won't come back again or does it have seeds which might spread? Any advice very gratefully received!
This plant can be very invasive and has deep growing roots rather like very long parsnips, as well as seeds. If it puts your mind at rest to remove it the easiest way is to wait until it is in flower then spray the plants with glysophate weedkiller.
Stand by for screams of horror from other posters on the subject. Put a bin liner over the plant and spray inside it to protect any other plants nearby. Glyfosate is safe around pets and children and becomes inactive when it reaches the soil as it is a herbicide so is taken in by the leaves not the roots of trEated plants.
I love the flowers but have never grown it because it spreads so much and a friend who had some in their garden told me how difficult it is to eradicate. It is also worth remembering you cannot watch children and animals 24 seven. It is highly unlikely your children would be tempted to eat any of the plant but puppies just do not care what they chew.
@Joyce Goldenlily - the thread is from 8 years ago. The OP hasn't been on the forum since then, so they're unlikely to see your response. A new poster simply brought the thread back because they have a problem. There are ;loads of potentially dangerous plants, but in reality, most are fine regardless of children, pets and everything else. I've always said that most kitchens and bathrooms have more danger in them than a garden.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@paulinedellar , if you've survived alongside them until now (including digging up and moving a clump) they're unlikely to do you any harm. Wear gloves when you deadhead/cut them back, and normal good hygiene (hand washing after gardening and before handling food). If something's changing, like a new puppy or small child using the garden, then you should be vigilant and make sure they don't chew on anything that they find in the garden.
It's not at all invasive here, just one clump that has been expanding very slowly for probably 20 years. It may be more vigorous in rich soil and/or a wetter climate.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
Mine have never been invasive, they don’t even self seed here. I have grown them from seeds and planted them but never seen one occur naturally. I've had the white ones the longest, someone who used to be on this site sent me roots from the blue one which are flowering now and from which I’ve since taken seeds. One of the best flowers for bees. None of my cats have ever eaten it.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
@Joyce Goldenlily - the thread is from 8 years ago. The OP hasn't been on the forum since then
Oh dear, a bit ominous.
I don't think so. Lots of folk just ask a question or two and then are never seen again. Hopefully, that's the only reason in this case @cmarkr ! As @Lyn says, they're not invasive here either. There's a nice clump of them in a garden not far from me. They have a little smallholding with all sorts of nice plants. I keep hoping I'll see the owners as they have a clematis on the house wall which I quite fancy if they know the name
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I have never known monkshood to be invasive either and they are such lovely plants I'd be happy if they did into bigger clumps and give me more free plants. Great for pollinators too.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
I took my daughter to RHS Rosemoor yesterday and we passed a border with some Aconitum planted in it. I immediately grabbed her hand and shouted " WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE " and ran to save our lives. She's 32, but we can never be too careful.
Posts
Stand by for screams of horror from other posters on the subject.
Put a bin liner over the plant and spray inside it to protect any other plants nearby. Glyfosate is safe around pets and children and becomes inactive when it reaches the soil as it is a herbicide so is taken in by the leaves not the roots of trEated plants.
I love the flowers but have never grown it because it spreads so much and a friend who had some in their garden told me how difficult it is to eradicate. It is also worth remembering you cannot watch children and animals 24 seven. It is highly unlikely your children would be tempted to eat any of the plant but puppies just do not care what they chew.
The OP hasn't been on the forum since then, so they're unlikely to see your response.
A new poster simply brought the thread back because they have a problem.
There are ;loads of potentially dangerous plants, but in reality, most are fine regardless of children, pets and everything else.
I've always said that most kitchens and bathrooms have more danger in them than a garden.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I've had the white ones the longest, someone who used to be on this site sent me roots from the blue one which are flowering now and from which I’ve since taken seeds.
One of the best flowers for bees. None of my cats have ever eaten it.
Hopefully, that's the only reason in this case @cmarkr !
As @Lyn says, they're not invasive here either. There's a nice clump of them in a garden not far from me. They have a little smallholding with all sorts of nice plants. I keep hoping I'll see the owners as they have a clematis on the house wall which I quite fancy if they know the name
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I immediately grabbed her hand and shouted " WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE " and ran to save our lives.
She's 32, but we can never be too careful.