Sea Dock Acanthus mollis
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- a-KANTH-us MAW-liss
- Description
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Bear's Breeches is an herbaceous perennial native to Europe and Africa with attractive leaves and showy flower spikes. The leaves are large and deeply lobed making the plant attractive even when not in bloom. The leaves were used as the model for the Corinthian leaf motif in ancient Greek and Roman architecture.
It grows to 4 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide but reaches 5-6 feet tall when in bloom. The tall flower spikes have many 2-lipped tubular flowers in purple and white that bloom May to July. The plant spreads by rhizomes and is best grown in an area with root barriers to prevent unwanted spread.
Bear's Breeches prefers fertile well-drained soils but is tolerant of most soil types except wet ones. It will grow in full sun to partial shade and will do better with some shade in hot climates to prevent leaf scorch. It may go dormant in summer if not irrigated.
Use this plant in the back of the border, in a container or an area surrounded by pavement. Root barriers such as those used for bamboo can be used also. Be sure to plant it where you want it as it is difficult to get rid of once established.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Acanthus
- Species:
- mollis
- Family:
- Acanthaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe, Africa
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Spines
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a, 10b, 10a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Green oval capsules
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 2-inch tubular flowers are surrounded by green or purplish spiny bracts and occur on a 1-2 foot spike. The flower is 2-lipped with the upper being purple and forming a hood over the lower 3-lobed lip which is white with purple or rose-colored veins. Blooms May to July.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Pinnatifid
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves form a mounded basal cluster of deeply lobed and cut, shiny dark green leaves. They are up to 16 inches long and 10 inches wide on a long stem.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cutting Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees