Spiny Bear's Breeches Acanthus spinosus
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-KAN-thus spih-NO-sus
- Description
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Spiny bear’s breeches is a clumping perennial plant in the Acanthaceae (acanthus) family. It is native to Europe and the Mediterranean. The Greek word akantha means spines which refers to the toothy edges some leaves in the genus. Spinosus means spiny and comes from the stiff spines found on the margins of the leaves that resemble that of the thistle.
This plant prefers well-drained soil in partial shade, with some protection from the afternoon sun in our hot southern climates. While it grows in a wide variety of soils it does not do well in wet soils. Slow growing, it can take some time to establish but once it takes hold, it spreads easily by seed and root cutting, making it almost impossible to eradicate out of a planting bed.
Its showy spikes of purple-white flowers that resemble snapdragons bring a pop of color to shady spots and make attractive additions to cut-flower bouquets. The large, spiky, arching leaves should not be ignored as they are what inspired the design of Greek Corinthian columns.
Use bear’s breeches as an accent or border plant in the landscape or in a cutting garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Slugs and snails can do damage.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Acanthus
- Species:
- spinosus
- Family:
- Acanthaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe, Mediterranean
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Tolerates damage from rabbits.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Creeping
- Erect
- Spreading
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Spines
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a, 10b, 10a
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Irregular
- Lipped
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- White snapdragon-like flowers surrounded by spiny pink-mauve-red bracts arranged in rows on showy spikes that are 3-4' tall. Blooms late spring to mid-summer.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Prickly
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Bear's breeches colorful deeply cut leaves make a bold architectural statement with its large (2'-3'), spiny leaves, which served as the pattern for the design on Greek Corinthian columns. They are arching, glossy, thistle-like leaves that emerge from a rosette in the center of the plant.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Cutting Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
- Weedy
