PlantFiles: Bear's Breeches
Acanthus hungaricus

Seattle, WA
zone 8

The bear's breeches I have is acanthus mollis and it's done wonderfully well in a less than ideal spot for years now. It's planted in an alley bed which gets a couple hours of sun in the morning, and often gets really dry in the summer months. BUT- the acanthus blooms every year, and has doubled in size each year since I've planted it. This is a gorgeous architectural plant; if you'd like a little drama in a difficult spot in your garden it's a great candidate. Can't wait till fall so I can do some dividing.
I wonder if there are some varieties of acanthus that are less invasive, like the golden leaved type? It would be worth checking out for those who live in areas where this is a problem. Does anyone have info on this?

Does great here with some shade!

In June '04, saw this plant in a test bed at Spring Hill Nursery, Tipp City, OH. Found it again in same spot on 6/24/05. Two Spring Hill staff didn't know what it was; a more knowledgeable staffer was to call me back. But found on Dave's Garden using PlantFiles advanced search. Very unusual looking plant. They really need to add mention of its spikes--hidden under the individual hooded flowers--to the Danger search category. Tried plucking a bloom to take back to the staff, and almost got speared. The foiliage is lush and shiny. Looks like a fancy thistle, so can see how it might become invasive. Gonna try to obtain one for my garden bed and see what happens.

Flowers are rosy-purple and can reach to 48". This plant grows in sunny to partly shady conditions. It is a very low-maintenance plant. Easily grown in average, medium wet, well-drained soil. Can be invasive in certain conditions.

I have several small Bear's Breeches here in zone 5, that have been given to me over the past two years, and which florish under the protection of my white pines. Even a very young seedling that I thought had died last winter emerged this summer - late but strong and appears quite healthy. Mine have yet to flower, being quite small, but had no problem living over last winter when we had extended periods of -25 to -20 temperatures. The only mulch was from the needle drop from the white pines.

I have seen locally several nice clumps of these at neighbors - again living under the canopy of pines. A friend cuts her flowers for me to dry for arrangements. Although quite prickly - you have to handle them with care. They make unusual and lovely flowers in dried arrangements. Air dry upside down. Flowers tend to appear here later than in warmer zones - more like late July to early August.

Slow-growing and stately. The flowers are very interesting. It's doing fine under the maple tree where most other perennials languish. Take root cuttings in late autumn or early winter to propagate.