Aconitum ‘Ivorine’
Aconitum ‘Ivorine’ is an elegant and unusual perennial, prized for its upright spires of soft ivory-white flowers and handsome, deeply cut foliage. Flowering in early summer, it brings a touch of refined beauty to partially shaded borders and woodland-style gardens. With its stately form and cool-toned blooms, ‘Ivorine’ is a standout choice for gardeners seeking subtle sophistication and seasonal structure.
At a Glance
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Common Name: Monkshood or Wolfsbane
Foliage Colour: Deep green, deeply divided
Flower Colour: Pale ivory to creamy white
Height: 75cm (2.5ft)
Spread: 50cm (1.6ft)
Flowering Time: June to July
Hardiness: Hardy in the UK down to temperatures of -20 degrees Celcius (RHS hardiness rating H7)
Position: Partial shade (tolerates full sun in moist soils)
Soil: Moist, fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil
Elegant Early Summer Blooms
Aconitum ‘Ivorine’ produces tall spikes of hooded, ivory-white flowers that open in late spring to early summer. These unusual blooms resemble the classic monkshood shape typical of the genus and contrast beautifully against the plant’s dark green, finely cut foliage. The creamy-white tones add brightness to shadier spots and bring a calm, cooling presence to early-season planting schemes.
Structural and Sophisticated
With its upright growth and stately presence, ‘Ivorine’ adds structure to the middle or back of the border. It works well in woodland gardens, lightly shaded areas, or naturalistic settings, where it can mingle with ferns, foxgloves, and other early-flowering perennials.
A Note on Safety
Like all aconitums, ‘Ivorine’ is highly toxic if ingested and can cause skin irritation. Always wear gloves when handling and avoid planting where young children or pets are likely to come into contact with it. Despite this, it remains a valuable and much-loved garden plant for experienced gardeners and those happy to take simple precautions.
Growing Advice
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist, particularly during dry spells in spring and early summer. Aconitum prefers consistent moisture but will not tolerate waterlogged soil.
Feeding: Apply a general-purpose fertiliser or mulch with well-rotted compost in spring to support strong, healthy growth.
Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers to prolong the display. After flowering has finished, allow the foliage to die back naturally. Cut back old stems in autumn or early spring.
Dividing: Divide established clumps in early spring or autumn if they become congested or to propagate new plants. Handle with care and wear gloves.
Positioning: Best grown in partial shade where the soil remains cool and moist, although it will tolerate full sun in reliably moist conditions. Ideal for woodland edges or north-facing beds.
Potted: Yes, Aconitum ‘Ivorine’ can be grown in large containers. Use a deep pot filled with a moisture-retentive, loam-based compost enriched with organic matter. Position in partial shade and keep the compost consistently moist. Container-grown plants will benefit from regular feeding and may need more frequent watering during dry weather.
Hardy and Long-Lived
Aconitum ‘Ivorine’ is fully hardy across the UK and, once established, forms a long-lived and reliable clump. It is generally unbothered by pests or disease, making it a good choice for low-maintenance planting in cooler, damper areas of the garden.
Perfect Companions
Pair Aconitum ‘Ivorine’ with:
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Digitalis purpurea – for height and complementary bloom time
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Hosta ‘Francee’ – for bold foliage contrast
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Astilbe ‘Deutschland’ – to echo soft white tones in damp soils
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Brunnera macrophylla – for spring interest and texture beneath
Why Choose Aconitum ‘Ivorine’?
A refined and elegant addition to any partly shaded border, Aconitum ‘Ivorine’ offers something truly different with its creamy-white spires and classic monkshood form. Ideal for early summer interest and woodland planting schemes, it delivers long-lasting impact with minimal maintenance—perfect for gardeners looking for structural beauty and seasonal charm in cooler, quieter corners of the garden.
Buying Perennials from Jacksons Nurseries
At Jacksons Nurseries we lightly trim back our perennials after flowering and trim them back at the end of the season to ensure that the plants remain neat and tidy whilst in the pot. The more tender the plant the less we cut back to help protect exposed stems from winter frost. Depending on the plant variety we will then prune back further in spring once the risk of the more severe frosts is over.
As a result, depending on the time of year you buy perennials, they may not look like images showing their ‘prime time’ in flower and looking at their best.
From late autumn onwards and dependent on variety, there may be very little visible above the soil except for a few cut back dormant leaves or stems. It is perfectly normal for dormant plants to look like this from autumn onwards, they will however burst back into life in spring.
Availability: Stock availability figures are provided as a guide only. There is a delay between orders being placed and the plants being gathered by our pulling team. During this time it may be possible for a member of the public to purchase these plants from our Garden Centre, while this is rare it is a possibility and we will notify you of any problems as soon as possible. This figure may also include plants that have not yet be flagged as unsaleable.
Pre-order: Pre-order times are given as a guide only and may vary dependent on the growing season. Orders containing Pre-ordered products will be shipped as a single order when all items become available. Large orders may be part shipped, please contact us on 01782 502741 or email sales@jacksonsnurseries.co.uk.
Perennials are described and classified differently by different gardeners but all would agree that they are plants that come into flower every year from early spring to late summer, the exact time dependent on variety and most die back to ground level in autumn and winter.
As for all plants, soil preparation is time well spent. Dig over the area to be planted ensuring that the ground is free draining. If not then you may wish to either consider planting in a different spot or raising the level of the planting area by adding additional topsoil, well rotted garden compost and/or well rotted manure. Add ‘Fish, Blood and Bone’ fertiliser or a high potash fertiliser to encourage good root growth and development.
It’s always a good idea to plant a few of the same plant together, we recommend planting in 3’s or 5’s to provide a bold effect but allowing them plenty of room to develop.
Always check eventual plant heights when planning borders to ensure that the taller plants are at the back (or at the centre of an island bed) followed by the medium and then smaller low growing plants.
Remember to deadhead perennials after flowering, trim back lightly in autumn as required to tidy the border and if necessary trim again in spring once the risk of heavy frost has passed.
If perennials get too big, start to flower less and less or if it seems to be dying off from the centre, consider dividing the plant but always check that the particular variety is happy to be divided and that you divide at the right time of year for the plant.
By using this simple guide and a little time, perennials can make an absolutely spectacular difference to your garden.
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