Alphabetical Plant Listing

Acanthus hungaricus (Bear's Breech)

Bear's Breech, Bear's Breeches, Long-Leaved Bear's Breech, Long-Leaved Bear's Breeches, Acanthus balcanicus


Stately and dramatic, Acanthus hungaricus (Bear's Breech) is an upright, clump-forming perennial boasting strikingly elegant spikes of hooded, pink-flushed to white flowers adorned with spiny, red-purple bracts. Blooming from early to mid-summer, they rise well above a superb foliage mound of long, shiny, deeply-cut, basal olive-green leaves, which usually remains attractive throughout the growing season. 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. 

  • Grows up to 3-4 ft. high (90-120 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. Easily grown from seed or may be propagated by root cuttings best taken in early spring.
  • Plants may become difficult to eradicate once established since small sections of root left behind can sprout new plants.
  • Native to the Balkans, Romania, Greece.

Not sure which Acanthus - Bear's Breeches to pick?
Compare All Acanthus - Bear's Breeches

Buy Acanthus hungaricus (Bear's Breech)

Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 10
Heat Zones 5 – 9
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 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 Acanthus - Bear's Breeches
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid)
Height 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spread 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spacing 24" – 36" (60cm – 90cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Drought
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden

Buy Plants


By Iva Vagnerova, SF photo, Shutterstock

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.


Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 10
Heat Zones 5 – 9
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 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 Acanthus - Bear's Breeches
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid)
Height 3' – 4' (90cm – 120cm)
Spread 2' – 3' (60cm – 90cm)
Spacing 24" – 36" (60cm – 90cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Drought
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden

Plant Calculator

How many Acanthus hungaricus (Bear's Breech) do I need for my garden?

%
ft
ft

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Acanthus hungaricus (Bear's Breech)

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.