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Beginner skill rating |
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1m max. spread |
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1.5m max. height |
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2-5 years to maturity |
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1 hour care per year |
Botanical name: Acanthus spinosus
Other names: Spiny bear's breeches, Armed bear's breeches
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Genus: Acanthus
Species: A. spinosus - A. spinosus is a strong, structural, clump-forming perennial with large, deeply-divided, glossy dark-green leaves with spiny margins. Erect spikes of white and purple flowers in late spring and summer.
Acanthus spinosus is: Deciduous
Flower: White, Purple in Summer
Foliage: Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer
Habit: Clump-forming, Upright
Awards: RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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), Rosa 'Morning Mist' (Rose 'Morning Mist'), Viburnum tinus 'Gwenllian' (Laurustinus 'Gwenllian')
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Pests: Slugs and snails may be a problem. Protect young plants.
Specific pests: Slugs , Snails
Specific diseases: Powdery mildew
Pruning: Cut down old flower stems.. REGISTER to read more...
Propagation: Sow seed in spring, take root cuttings in winter, or divide established clumps between autumn and early spring.. REGISTER to read more...
Propagation methods: Seed, Division, Root cuttings. REGISTER to read more...
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Acanthus spinosus (Spiny bear's breeches) will reach a height of 1.5m and a spread of 1m 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: | North, South, East, West | |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | |
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Question from
I have a Rosa 'Compassion' growing on one side (and over) a pergola which surrounds a walkway. I prune it back in the winter to a framework of horizontal stems but throughout the summer the stems that grow from the framework are very long in length before they flower and this makes walking through the pergola a little risky ! Are long growth spurs a feature of this rose or am I pruning it incorrectly?
Comment from
Acanthus spinosus (Spiny bear's breeches) has been used in The Daily Telegraph for Chelsea Flower Show 2009.
We list 12 suppliers who tell us they sell Acanthus spinosus (Spiny 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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"Just had a year's subscription from garden designer Charlotte Rowe. Very impressed ... will get out into the garden this week!"
Kate (Charlotte Rowe's client), Amersham, Buckinghamshire
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