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Acanthus hirsutus (Hairy bear's breeches)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
0.35m
Max height
Max height
0.3m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Acanthus hirsutus
Other names
Hairy bear's breeches, Hirsutus bear's breeches, Acanthus caroli-alexandri
Genus
Acanthus Acanthus
Species
A. hirsutus - A. hirsutus is a clump-forming perennial with spiny, lance-shaped, dark green leaves and racemes of pale yellow to greenish white flowers with hairy, spiny, yellowish green bracts in late spring to midsummer.
Acanthus hirsutus is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Upright
Flower
Greenish-white, Yellow-green, Pale-yellow in Spring; Yellow-green, Pale-yellow, Greenish-white in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Slugs and snails may be a problem. Protect young plants.
Specific pests
Powdery mildew Powdery mildew
General care
Pruning
Cut down old flower stems.
Propagation
Sow seed in spring, take root cuttings in winter, or divide established clumps between autumn and early spring.
Propagation methods
Seed, Division, Root cuttings
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Where to grow
Acanthus hirsutus (Hairy bear's breeches) will reach a height of 0.35m and a spread of 0.3m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean
Cultivation
Grow in any soil in full sun to part shade. Does best in fertile, well-drained loam. Tolerates short periods of drought.
Soil type
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
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Acanthus hirsutus
Other names
Hairy bear's breeches, Hirsutus bear's breeches, Acanthus caroli-alexandri
Genus
Acanthus Acanthus
Species
A. hirsutus - A. hirsutus is a clump-forming perennial with spiny, lance-shaped, dark green leaves and racemes of pale yellow to greenish white flowers with hairy, spiny, yellowish green bracts in late spring to midsummer.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Upright
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Colour
Flower
Greenish-white, Yellow-green, Pale-yellow in Spring; Yellow-green, Pale-yellow, Greenish-white in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Slugs and snails may be a problem. Protect young plants.
Specific pests
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Cut down old flower stems.
Propagation
Sow seed in spring, take root cuttings in winter, or divide established clumps between autumn and early spring.
Propagation methods
Seed, Division, Root cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Acanthus hirsutus (Hairy bear's breeches) will reach a height of 0.35m and a spread of 0.3m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Flower Arranging, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean
Cultivation
Grow in any soil in full sun to part shade. Does best in fertile, well-drained loam. Tolerates short periods of drought.
Soil type
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
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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