Acanthus spinosus

Acanthus spinosus (22/06/2013, Brighton)

Position: Full Sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Late spring to summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 1.5m

Eventual Spread: 1m

Hardiness: 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a

Family: Acanthaceae

Acanthus spinosus Flower (22/06/2013, Brighton)

Acanthus spinosus is a fast growing deciduous herbaceous perennial with a upright habit. Its dark green glossy leaves are pinnatisect with entire margins, spiny tips and are up to 90cm long. Its white flowers appear in racemes on erect stems with purple bracts. Its roots are fleshy rhizomes.

Acanthus spinosus, commonly known as Bear’s Breeches, Spiny Bear’s Breeches, is native to southern Europe. In its native habitat it grows in woodland margins and scrub.

The etymological root of the binomial name Acanthus is derived from the ancient Greek akanthos meaning ‘a prickle’ in reference to some members of the genus being spiny. Spinosus is from the Latin meaning ‘thorny’.

Acanthus spinosus Leaf (22/06/2013, Brighton)

The landscape architect may find  Acanthus spinosus useful  as a large herbaceous perennial with architectural habit, particularly in light shade locations. Once established this perennial is drought tolerant.

Ecologically, Acanthus spinosus is attractive to pollinating insects.

Acanthus spinosus prefers moist, deep, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Acanthus spinosus requires little maintenance. Large clumps may be divided in autumn or spring.

Landscape Architecture

Acanthus hungaricus

Acanthus hungaricus Flower (30/06/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full Sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Late spring to summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 1.5m

Eventual Spread: 90cm

Hardiness: 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a,  9b

Family: Acanthaceae

Acanthus hungaricus is a fast growing herbaceous perennial. Its dark green leaves are pinnatisect with entire margins, are glossy in texture and are up to 80cm long. Its white flowers appear in racemes on erect stems with purple bracts. Its roots are fleshy rhizomes.

Acanthus hungaricus, commonly known as Bear’s Breeches, is native to south east Europe. In its native habitat it grows in woodland margins and scrub.

Acanthus hungaricus (30/06/2012, Kew Gardens, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Acanthus is derived fro the ancient Greek akanthos meaning ‘a prickle’ in reference to some members of the genus being spiny. Hungaricus is derived from the Latin meaning ‘from Hungary’.

The landscape architect may find  Acanthus hungaricus useful  as a large herbaceous perennial with architectural habit, particularly in light shade locations. Given the right conditions this plant will happily spread.

Ecologically, Acanthus hungaricus is attractive to pollinating insects.

Acanthus hungaricus prefers moist, deep, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Acanthus hungaricus requires little maintenance. Large clumps may be divided in autumn or spring.

Landscape Architecture

Acanthus mollis

Acanthus mollis flower (16/05/2011, Paris)

Position: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Moist, well drained.

Flowering period: Late summer.

Eventual Height: 1.5m

Eventual Spread: 90cm

Hardiness: 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Acanthaceae

Acanthus mollis is an semi-evergreen perennial with a clump forming habit. It has obovate, deeply lobed, dark green leaves. In summer it bears 1m long racemes composed of white flowers with purple shaded bracts, often on purple stems.

Acanthus mollis, commonly known as Bear’s Breeches, is native to south west Europe and north west Africa. It features in Greek mythology and was also used in stone carvings by both the Greeks and the Romans to decorate a wide range of architectural features, such as Corinthian and Composite order columns, dentils, and friezes. In Greek mythology Acantha was a nymph who resisted Apollo’s romantic advances and was turned into the plant as punishment.

The etymological root of the binomial name Acanthus is derived fro the ancient Greek akanthos meaning ‘a prickle’ in reference to some members of the genus being spiny. mollis is derived from the Latin translating as ‘soft’, ‘tender’ or ‘velvety’.

Acanthus mollis flower (16/05/2011, Paris)

Acanthus mollis may be useful to the landscape architect as an effective ground cover plant which tolerates a shady location. It provides dramatic flowering spikes during the summer months and has large bold leaves.

Acanthus mollis will tolerate almost any soil conditions; it will be happy in acid, neutral or alkaline pH levels, in loam, sand or chalk in a sheltered or exposed location facing any aspect including shady locations.

Ecologically, Acanthus mollis will cater to pollinating insects such as bees.

Acanthus mollis requires little to no maintenance, flower stems may be cut back after flowering. If the clumps become too large they may be split in spring or autumn. Powdery mildew may occasionally be a problem, generally under dry climatic conditions.

Landscape Architecture