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Intermediate skill rating |
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1.5m max. spread |
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1.5m max. height |
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2-5 years to maturity |
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2 hours care per year |
Botanical name: Acanthus mollis
Other names: Bear's breeches, Brank ursine, Common bear's breech, Soft-leaved bear's breeches
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Genus: Acanthus
Species: A. mollis - A. mollis is a clump-forming perennial with shiny, deeply lobed, dark green leaves and erect racemes of white flowers with purple bracts borne on purple-tinted stems in late summer.
Acanthus mollis is: Deciduous
Flower: Purple, White in Spring; White, Purple in Summer
Foliage: Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer
Fruit: Green in Autumn
Habit: Clump-forming, Upright
Plant with: Bergenia x schmidtii (Schmidt elephant ear), Bergenia 'Morgenröte' (Elephant's ears 'Morgenröte'), Bergenia 'Silberlicht' (Elephant's ears 'Silberlicht'), Angelica archangelica (Angelica), Ballota pseudodictamnus (False dittany), Rosa glauca (Red leaved rose), Ballota acetabulosa (Greek horehound), Doronicum 'Miss Mason' (Leopard's bane 'Miss Mason'), Rosa 'Morning Mist' (Rose 'Morning Mist'), Allium cristophii (Star of persia), Potentilla nepalensis 'Miss Willmott' (Cinquefoil 'Miss Willmott'), Potentilla nepalensis 'Ron McBeath' (Cinquefoil 'Ron McBeath'), Potentilla eriocarpa (Cinquefoil), Potentilla nepalensis 'Fire Dance' (Cinquefoil 'Fire Dance')
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Pests: Generally pest free
Pruning: Cut down old flower stems.. REGISTER to read more...
Propagation: Propagate by sowing seed in spring or by root cuttings in winter. The easiest way is to divide the roots at any time between autumn and early spring.. REGISTER to read more...
Propagation methods: Division, Root cuttings. REGISTER to read more...
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Acanthus mollis (Bear's breeches) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1.5m after 2-5 years.
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Suggested uses: Architectural, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean
Cultivation: The ideal soil is a deep, fertile, well-drained loam but it will grow in most soils and has good drought tolerance.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy |  |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | |
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Comment from
I have inherited my garden with a big acanthus that seems to be spreading and sprouting up anywhere it can. How and when do I take care of the sprouting? I guess I did it at the wrong time this year as there are plenty of beautiful leaves, but no flowers so far.
I like the plant, but don't want it to take over my entire small garden.
Thanks
Trui
Comment from
Plenty of healthy looking green leaves but no flowers for the second year running. Any ideas , please?
Question from
The leaves appear to be rotting - yellowing with brown edges, there are a few small circular holes. Plant info says mainly pest free but our plants are far from healthy! Any ideas??
Comment from
The leaves of this plant are generally considered by historians to have been the design inspiration for the Corinthian column capitals of Roman architecture.
In Spain I have seen the subsp platyphyllos.
We list 43 suppliers who tell us they sell Acanthus mollis (Bear's breeches). In order to see the list you'll need to either register or log in as a full member.
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