Acanthus spinosus

Acanthus spinosus Details

Acanthus spinosus, commonly known as Spiny Bear’s Breeches, is a beautiful herbaceous perennial with large, glossy, dark green leaves and striking spikes of purple and white hooded flowers. The flowers are produced in late spring through early summer and rise profoundly above the foliage making for a spectacular display. It grows as a clump to about 90 cm tall and 70 cm wide but will colonise a larger area as it roots spread. This variety grows best in fertile, well-drained soils in either full sun or partial shade. Plants are tolerant of dry periods, frost, cool climates, and in these environments, they may die back during winter to regrow when conditions favour. Acanthus spinosus is commonly mass planted on a bank, added to mixed plantings, included in cottage gardens, used to line a driveway or path, or maintained in a container.