Acanthus mollis 'Rue Ledan'
(Bear's Breeches 'Rue Ledan')
Family - Acanthaceae
Category - Perennial
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H6
Height - 1.5m or more
Width - up to 90cm
Location - The White Garden
Description: (Latifolius Group)
A herbaceous Perennial with a clump-forming, upright habit. Glossy dark green Basal Leaves are obovate to oval in shape with shallow pinnatifid lobing. Each leaf can reach 1.2m in length. Hooded, tubular 2-lipped flowers are pure white and have showy green Bracts. The flowers are held in striking vertical spikes that can reach 75cm or more in length. The Blooms are produced from midsummer into early autumn and are good for use as cut flowers and drying, and are also attractive to pollinating insects.
Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Synonym - Acanthus mollis (Latifolius Group) 'Jarden en Face'.
Flower:
Hooded, tubular 2-lipped flowers are pure white with showy green bracts. The flowers are held in vertical spikes that can reach 75cm or more in length. The blooms are produced from July into September, though the bracts remain attractive for longer.
Flower colour: White, green
Flower shape: Hooded, tubular 2-lipped flowers in spikes
Flowering time: July, August, September
Foliage:
Glossy dark green leaves are obovate to oval in shape with shallow pinnatifid lobing. Each leaf can reach 1.2m in length. The foliage is held at the base of the plant.
Foliage Senescence: Semi-evergreen
Foliage Shape: Obovate to oval with pinnatifid lobing
Propagation:
Division, root cuttings.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun to partial shade in fertile, moisture retentive soil that is well drained.