Acanthus spinosus
Blooming Time
Exposure
Bear’s breeches is an imposing species with lustrous deep green, sharply and prominently toothed, deeply divided, oval to oblong, absolutely magnificent foliage. This alone would make spiny bear’s breeches a worthy plant, but its flowers are even more amazing. Blooming late spring and early summer with massive upright spikes of pinkish petaled, purple bracted flowers, spiny bear’s breeches puts on an outstanding floral show. Great for specimen, accent, or ground cover planting, spiny bear’s breeches is a wonderful companion as well.
Details
Hardiness Zone:
Blossom Color:
Violet to Purple
Growth Habit:
Clump Forming
Max Height:
3½'
Texture:
Recommended Spacing:
We sell this plant in these containers:
Special Characteristics
Features
Lustrous deep green, sharply and prominently toothed, deeply divided, absolutely magnificent foliage. Massive upright spikes of pinkish petaled purple bracted flowers during late spring early summer.
Landscape Value
Fabulous specimen, accent, ground cover, or companion plant.
Care
Watering:
Spiny Bear's Breeches is moderately drought tolerant but benefits from occasional watering, to maintain soil in a moist but not wet condition, during the summer months.
Fertilizing:
Spiny Bear's Breeches is a moderate feeder, benefiting from a couple of annual applications of slow release fertilizer. A spring application of a 3-1-2 ratio (such as a 15-5-10) can be applied at a rate of about 10 pounds per 1000 square feet, and during early fall, an application of a 2-1-2 ratio (such as a 10-5-10) can be applied to encourage root development and cold hardiness.
Pruning:
Spiny Bear's Breeches should be enjoyed all winter long, then, during early April before it begins to grow again, it should be pruned or mowed back to ground level.