Spiny Bears Breeches
Spiny bears breeches, Acanthus spinosus, has become quiet a conversation peace in our garden. This perennial has spikes with mauve flowers which bloom in June and July with thistle like leaves. It gives your garden a bold architectural statement with its tall substantial spikes of mauve and white. The flowers may remind you of a large snapdragon. This wonderful plant grows 2 to 4 ft tall by 3 feet wide in zones 5 - 10. Plant in the front or middle of your perennial bed. It likes sun to part shade. Here in the Mid South, Spiny bear's breeches can use some shade in the afternoon. Spiny bears breeches flower heads look good for several weeks. No deadheading necessary until late summer when flower heads finally decline. Any foliage that is dead or tattered may need to be cut back in late summer also. Leaves are evergreen or semi-evergreen depending on where you live and how severe your winters are. Be aware that it can spread aggressively by creeping rootstock in light soils and spreading roots are difficult to remove completely. This plant is such a wonderful addition to your perennial garden, that you probably won't mind. We certainly don't! We have had it in our garden for about 3 years without it becoming too invasive. The following characteristics of this cool plant is included in Tracy Disabato-Aust's newest book entitled 50 High-Impact, Low-Care Garden Plants.
This book has been a great resource for this page as well as a great resource for learning more high-impact, low-care garden plants. It includes 50 plants that are all tried and true. All the plants listed do well in the Mid-South. You can purchase it at Amazon.com for only $7. It's worth every penny and more. For More Information:
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