Mulch heavily around but not directly on the crown. Monkshood may be planted in the very early spring or late fall, but my preferred time is late fall. The roots need to be well settled before our hot and dry weather hits. September and October plantings have time to settle in and establish feeder roots long before the energy needed for foliage and flowering the following year. Planting a mix of wolfbane, with its yellows, white and rose, among the various shades of blue of the monkshoods would create a large dramatic show.
Blooms range from pure white to spotted lavenders, yellows and pinks.
Foliage can be upright or arching. These range in height from two to six feet, coming into bloom from June through October, depending upon the species. Gentians that are late summer or fall bloomers of rich blues are for the foreground. Ferns of larger sizes make good fillers between or at the feet of bigger plants.