Botanical Name: Acanthus mollis
Common Name: Bear's breech
Type of Plant: dicot: perennial
Character evergreen
 
Habit of Growth:
Overall Shape loose, clumping form – large leaves arise from a basal rhizome, arch outward to form a loose rounded shape
Height 2-4'
Spread 6-8'
Growth Rate rapid
 
Environment:
Exposure outdoors partial sun/shade, tolerates full sun along coast
Soil prefers moist loam, tolerates most
Hardiness hardy (zones 4-24); dies back to ground in cold areas
 
Morphology:
Leaves pinnate (lobed) to pinnatifid, oblong – arising from rhizome; 2-4' long, deep green, toothed dark green and shiny
Flowers whitish/pink, bilaterally symmetrical, funnel shaped, 1-1 1/2" long on erect 2' spikes – April through July
Fruit oval capsule 1" long
 
Propagation:
seed, division of clump
 
Usage:
filler or loose border for dramatic foliage – shaded areas, woodsy, tropical landscapes
 
Landscape Care:
Watering prefers regular, tolerates some drought; may become drought-deciduous if allowed to dry out completely
Fertilizing balanced in spring
Pruning divide clumps to keep within bounds – remove old leaves
Pests/Diseases snails/slugs
Special Conditions/Other
 
Origin: Southern Europe
Family: Acanthaceae

Notes:
 
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