About this cultivar:
Acanthus spinosus L. is very similar to Acanthus mollis. The main difference being the leaves and flowers: spinosus tends to produce more flower spikes but its leaves are less broad and less soft than mollis.
- Position: Full sun, partial shade
- Soil: Almost any soil - grows well in Ballyrobert!
- Flowers: May, June, July, August, September
- Other features: Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit (RHS AGM)
- Hardiness: H6 - Hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15°C), Fully hardy - grows well in Ballyrobert!
- Habit: Columnar or Upright
- Foliage: Deciduous
- Height: 120 - 150 cm (4 - 5 ft)
- Spread: 60 - 105 cm (2 - 3.5 ft)
- Time to full growth: 2 to 5 years
- Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial
- Colour: White, green, purple
- Goes well with: Veronicastrum virginicum f. 'roseum Pink Glow'
About this genus:
Acanthus, commonly known as bear’s breeches, is a clump-forming perennial that we grown as much for its attractive foliage as for its architecturally bold creamy white flower spikes with red-to-purple bracts. Acanthus leaves have a classical appearance and were the source of the Corinthian leaf motif developed and used as a decoration in ancient Greek and Roman art and architecture.
At Ballyrobert we find Acanthus a versatile plant - its classic feel and architectural habit makes it at home in the more formal parts of our garden yet its health, vigour and large size make it at home in more informal areas close to hedges, the backs of borders, and woodland. During winter, if not cut back, Acanthus can provide a fine silhouette.
Acanthus mollis is very similar to Acanthus spinosus. The main differences between the species being the leaves and flowers: spinosus tends to produce more flower spikes but its leaves are less broad and less soft than mollis.