Acanthus spinosus
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Acanthus spinosus

Acanthus spinosus

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SKU: S20335
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Quick Facts
Common Name: Bear's Breeches
Hardiness Zone: 6-9S/W Exposure: Sun to Part Shade
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Blooms In: Jun-Jul
Mature Height: 4-5' Spacing: 4'
Read our Growing Guide Ships as: BAREROOT
Deer Resistance: Yes
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Product Details

Product Details

A dramatic foliage plant, Acanthus spinosus, also known as Bear's Breeches is impressive in flower, too. Deeply cut, thistle-like leaves form a sculptural mound in full sun or partial shade. Both the bold, vertical spikes of white flowers, which are hooded by spiny, reddish purple bracts, and their seedpods are valuable for cutting.

This genus of about 30 species of perennials and small shrubs dates back to the ancient Greeks, who used the handsome, lobed leaves as the pattern for the Corinthian order on columns. Plants form imposing, generally evergreen mounds that produce grand spikes of hooded blooms in early to midsummer. Grow in full sun or partial shade (required in the South) and moist but well-drained soil.

For more information on growing Acanthus, click Growing Guide.

Shipping

Shipping

HOW PLANTS ARE SHIPPED

The size of the plants we ship has been selected to reduce the shock of transplanting. For some, this means a large, bareroot crown. Others cannot travel bareroot or transplant best if grown in containers. We ship these perennials and annuals in 1 pint pots, except as noted. We must point out that many perennials will not bloom the first year after planting, but will the following year, amply rewarding your patience. We ship bulbs as dormant, bare bulbs, sometimes with some wood shavings or moss. Shrubs, Roses, vines, and other woody plants may be shipped bareroot or in pots. The size of the pot is noted in the quick facts for each item.

WHEN WE SHIP

We ship our bulbs and plants at the right time for planting in your area, except as noted, with orders dispatched on a first-come, first-served basis by climate zone. We also ship a wide range of containers and planters, tools, supplies, fertilizers, garden wear, garden decor items, as well as indoor decorations like wreaths and dried bouquets when available. Estimated dates for shipping are indicated in the green Shipping Details box for each item. Please supply a street address for delivery. Kindly contact us with two weeks notice, if you'll be away at the expected time of delivery.

OUR GUARANTEE

We guarantee to ship plants that are in prime condition for growing. If your order is damaged or fails to meet your expectations, we will cheerfully replace or refund it. Please contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-503-9624 or email us at [email protected]. Please include your order number or customer number when contacting us.

Reviews

Reviews

Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars (4 Reviews) Write a Review

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A surprising plant

Utopia Farm from southwest Ohio

I have had Bears Breeches in my side garden for years. I love it for the connection to art history (look up Acanthus). It's a surprising plant; the leaves are spiny but actually soft and the flower stalks look soft but are actually thorny. Be mindful where you plant this - it will spread and spread and spread. It really wants to be in a large slightly wild area where it can take over.

12 of 12 people found this review helpful. Do you? yes no


Unique leaves and flowers in the garden!

Bunkeybear from Upstate NY

When I dried the flowers, the seeds flew out all over the room. It was fun to hear and see them, but what a mess! Maybe I just didn't dry them the right way...

8 of 10 people found this review helpful. Do you? yes no


Tougher than you'd think

lezro from Grand Junction, CO (now)

I managed to grow this on the west side of the house in Michigan, 4b. It took a long time but turned into a large very cool-looking plant.

14 of 14 people found this review helpful. Do you? yes no


Great Plant

SAM from Commerce Twp, MI

You can transplant the side shoots that come up. I received this plant from a friend and it is now going gang busters on the east side of my garage in SE Michigan.

12 of 12 people found this review helpful. Do you? yes no

Growing guide

Growing guide
Print Grow Guide

Latin Name Pronunciation: uh-kan'thus  

In the North and on the West Coast, grow in full sun or partial shade and average garden soil. In the South, plant in partial shade and soil that is moist in summer but well drained in winter. Slugs and snails may chew holes in leaves; set out shallow bowls of beer to keep the population in check, put down diatomaceous earth (available at many garden centers) as a barrier, or (in the South) mulch with Zoysia lawn clippings. The foliage is evergreen but may emerge the worse for wear and tear from severe winters. At the limits of cold hardiness (Zone 6 [-10°]), mulch heavily in fall.