Royal Flush Wolfsbane (Aconitum carmichaelii 'Royal Flush')
ak-on-EYE-tum kar-my-KEE-lee-eye 'Royal Flush'

Deciduous Perennial Upright in the Ranunculaceae Family
 
Buy Royal Flush Wolfsbane
Size Notes Price Availability
#1 gallon Field $16.31

Deep purple-blue flower spikes on red-flushed stems from September into October, above foliage that emerges bronze-red and matures to glossy green. A compact, patented monkshood — all parts are highly toxic; handle with gloves.

'Royal Flush' (also sold as 'Redleaf') is a patented (US Plant Patent PP16,102) selection of Chinese monkshood (Aconitum carmichaelii), discovered by British plantsman Bob Brown in 1996 in Evesham, England, from a cross between an unnamed A. carmichaelii selection and the cultivar 'Barker's Variety.' It was patented in 2005.

The cultivar is named for its striking red-flushed stems and young foliage, which emerges bronze-red in spring before maturing to a glossy, deep green; leaves are deeply divided and palmate, typical of the species. From late summer into fall, upright spikes of dark blue-purple, hooded flowers appear on a more compact, restrained plant than many monkshoods. Like all Aconitum, it prefers consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. All parts of the plant are highly toxic if ingested and can irritate or be absorbed through skin — wear gloves when handling, and keep it away from children, pets, and edible gardens.

Pros

  • Ornamental red-flushed stems and bronze-red spring foliage, in addition to fall flowers
  • Compact habit compared to many monkshood cultivars — good fit for smaller gardens
  • Late-season dark blue-purple flowers when little else is still blooming
  • Deer-resistant and attractive to late-season pollinators

Cons

  • All parts are highly toxic if ingested or absorbed through skin — wear gloves, keep away from children, pets, and edible gardens
  • Needs consistently moist soil; won't tolerate drought
  • Slow to establish, taking 2 to 5 years to reach full size
Highlights A compact, patented monkshood prized for red-flushed stems, bronze-red spring foliage, and spikes of dark blue-purple flowers from late summer into fall — but highly toxic in all parts, so handle with care.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 24 - 36 inches tall. 12 - 18 inches wide.
Growth Rate Slow
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium - Wet: Needs consistently moist soil and does not tolerate drought; tolerates damp conditions well. Good drainage still matters — avoid soil that stays waterlogged or stagnant.
Zones 3a - 8b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Deciduous, Full Sun, Medium, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Wet
Bloom Period September to October
Flower Color Dark Blue-Purple
Foliage Color Bronze-Red

Commonly Planted with...

Astilbe, Ligularia, Rodgersia, ferns, and other moisture-loving perennials that share its preference for consistently moist, rich soil.
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Pricing and Availability History

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!