Acanthus, or bear's breeches, are bold plants, with evergreen architectural foliage and tall flower spikes in summer.
Acanthus mollis has enormous, glossy, deeply lobed leaves and tall flower spikes that are clothed in white flowers, each with a hood-like purple bract, in midsummer. It's perfect for growing at the back of a herbaceous border and makes a striking architectural presence. The flowers are much loved by bees and can be used in fresh and dried arrangements.
Grow Acanthus mollis in well-drained, fertile soil, in full sun or partial or dappled shade. Divide congested clumps in spring or autumn. It's a herbaceous perennial, so its foliage dies down in autumn, reappearing the following spring.
While it doesn't spread, Acanthus mollis does grow into a large clump, which is relatively trouble-free unless you want to move it. However, if you do decide to move it, you may find you're unable to eradicate it from its original spot – its roots are so deep that it's hard to remove them all when you dig the plant out of the ground. These then quickly grow into new plants, which can prove impossible to get rid of.
