Acanthus ‘Whitewater’ (Bear’s Breech)

Luminous and vigorous, Acanthus ‘Whitewater’ (Bear’s Breech) is a clump-forming perennial boasting a gorgeous variegated foliage of large, deeply cut, dark-green leaves adorned with creamy-white margins and splashes. In summer, the foliage mound is topped by erect flower stems bearing pink and cream, funnel-shaped flowers with hood-like purple bracts. 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. 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.