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Acanthus mollis (Bear’s Breech)

Bear's Breech, Bear's Breeches, Brank Ursine, Common Bear's Breech, Soft-Leaved Bear's Breech

Acanthus mollis, Bear's Breech, Bear's Breeches, Brank Ursine, Common Bear's Breech, Soft-Leaved Bear's Breech, Shade Plants, Perennial Plants, Shade Perennials
Acanthus mollis, Bear's Breech, Bear's Breeches, Brank Ursine, Common Bear's Breech, Soft-Leaved Bear's Breech, Shade Plants, Perennial Plants, Shade Perennials

Stately and vigorous, Acanthus mollis (Bear’s Breech) is a semi-evergreen clump-forming perennial boasting strikingly elegant spikes of hooded, creamy-white flowers adorned with dusky purple bracts. Blooming from early to mid-summer, they rise well above a superb foliage mound of large, shiny, deeply-cut, dark green leaves. The foliage is so handsome that Greek artists carved the elegant leaves at the top of their Corinthian columns in the fifth century BC. Bear’s Breech is easy to grow, requires very little care, lasts well in bouquets and makes striking dried arrangements. A bold and architectural perennial that may be grown as a specimen and can be splendid in small groupings. Evergreen in warm winter climates.

  • Grows up to 3-5 ft. high (90-150 cm) and 2-3 ft. wide (60-90 cm). Plants can spread aggressively by creeping rootstocks.
  • Performs best in full sun or part shade, in average, fertile, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Acanthus is at its best in part shade where summers are hot, but full sun is fine in cool summer areas. It will also survive in deep shade, but may flower little there. Bear’s Breech is not fussy about soil conditions, as long as they are well-drained. Good drought tolerance once established.
  • A pretty addition to beds and borders, cottage gardens or Mediterranean gardens.
  • Virtually pest-free. Watch for powdery mildew.
  • Remove flowering stalks after bloom. Propagate by division or by root cuttings
  • Plants may become difficult to eradicate once established since small sections of root left behind can sprout new plants.
  • Native to Southern Europe, northwestern Africa.
  • Find where Acanthus mollis species is invasive in the United States.

Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 11
Heat Zones 7 - 11
Climate Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Acanthaceae
Genus Acanthus
Common names Bear's Breeches
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Height 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 36"
(60cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Tolerance Drought
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Acanthus hungaricus (Bear’s Breech)
Acanthus ‘Whitewater’ (Bear’s Breech)
Acanthus spinosus (Armed Bear’s Breech)
Acanthus mollis ‘Rue Ledan’ (Bear’s Breech)
Acanthus mollis ‘Morning’s Candle’ (Bear’s Breech)

Recommended Companion Plants

Campanula lactiflora ‘Prichard’s Variety’ (Milky Bellflower)
Lysimachia punctata (Yellow Loosestrife)
Centranthus ruber (Red Valerian)
Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s Mantle)
Verbena bonariensis (Tall Verbena)
Achillea (Yarrow)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 11
Heat Zones 7 - 11
Climate Zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Acanthaceae
Genus Acanthus
Common names Bear's Breeches
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Height 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 36"
(60cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Tolerance Drought
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Acanthus (Bear's Breeches) to pick?
Compare Now

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