Acanthus spinosus
(Spiny Bear's Breeches)
Family - Acanthaceae
Category - Perennial
Origin - Mediterranean
Year of Introduction - 1629
Season of Interest - Spring, Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H6
Height - 1.2m
Width - 90cm
Location - The Walled Garden
Description: A herbaceous Perennial with a clump-forming, and upright habit. Narrow, glossy dark green leaves are oblong to ovate in shape and have deep pinnatifid lobing. The leaves have sharp spines all along the margins and have an arching habit. Hooded, tubular 2-lipped flowers are pure white and have showy purple Bracts. The flowers are held in striking, vertical spikes and are produced from early into late summer. Good for use as cut flowers and drying, and attractive to pollinating insects.
Flower:
Hooded, tubular 2-lipped flowers are pure white and have showy purple bracts. The flowers are held in upright spikes and are produced from June (possibly earlier) into August. The bracts remain attractive after the flowers have finished. This plant may not flower well in a cool summer.
Flower colour: White, purple
Flower shape: Hooded, tubular 2-lipped flowers in spikes
Flowering time: June, July, August
Foliage:
Narrow, glossy dark green leaves are oblong to ovate in shape with deep pinnatifid lobing and sharp spines all along the margins. The leaves are held at the base of the plant and have a graceful arching habit.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous
Foliage Shape: Oblong to ovate with pinnatifid lobing
Propagation:
Division, root cuttings.
Cultivation:
Best in full sun to partial shade in fertile, moisture-retentive soil that is well-drained.