Plant DetailShow Menu

Acanthus 'Summer Beauty' is often confused with:
Acanthus spinosus Acanthus spinosus
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Acanthus mollis Form in bloom
Aruncus dioicus Form
Eryngium planum flower, summer,
Acanthus 'Summer Beauty' has some common insect problems:
Slugs & Snails on Ornamental Plants

Acanthus 'Summer Beauty'

Phonetic Spelling
ah-KAN-thus
Description

Bear's Breaches 'Summer Beauty' is a clumping perennial cultivar that is a cross between Acanthus mollis x Acanthus spinosus.  Genus name comes from the Greek word akantha meaning spine refering to the toothed edges on leaves in some species.

Plant in partial shade to bright shade in well-drained soil.  It can tolerate a wide variety of soil types except for wet ones. The 4-6 foot wide clump will spread by rhizomes and propagation can be done by root cuttings. The flower spike can reach 6 feet in height. It is very drought tolerant but providing water during dry periods will keep it from going dormant and keep the foliage looking attractive.

The large dark green leaves add a tropical look while the spikes of white and purple flowers add a bold vertical statement.  It is more tolerant of heat and humidity than its parents.  Resistant to browsing from rabbits and deer. 

Use their bold shape as a specimen plant or in small groups in borders or formal shade gardens. Be sure to plant them where you want them as they can be hard to eradicate once established. Each little piece of root can make a plant.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Susceptible to powdery mildew, snails and slugs

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#specimen#rabbit resistant#deer resistant#cream flowers#glossy leaves#large flowers#attractive leaves#formal garden#border planting#English garden#flowers late spring#flowers midsummer#vertical spaces#flowers early summer#small group plantings#partial shade tolerant#tropical feel
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#specimen#rabbit resistant#deer resistant#cream flowers#glossy leaves#large flowers#attractive leaves#formal garden#border planting#English garden#flowers late spring#flowers midsummer#vertical spaces#flowers early summer#small group plantings#partial shade tolerant#tropical feel
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Acanthus
    Family:
    Acanthaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Root Cutting
    Wildlife Value:
    Resistant to rabbits and deer
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
    Appendage:
    Spines
    Thorns
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Lipped
    Flower Petals:
    Bracts
    fused petals
    Flower Description:
    Large spikes of creamy white resemble hooded snapdragons with spiny purple bracts extend above the leaves 4'-6' in the air
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are up to 2 feet long, deeply lobed and glossy green with soft spines. The basal foliage grows in a rosette.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    4-6 ft tall thick flower stem
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    English Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Spines/Thorns