Acanthus 'Summer Beauty'
Spiny bear's breeches
Also known as Acanthus spinosus Spinosissimus Group 'Summer Beauty'
- Height × spread
- 1.5m × 2m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a striking plant. It makes a large foliage mound of rich green shiny leaves. They are oblong with deeply lobed edges and a lighter green central vein. The imposing foliage clump sends up stout flowering spikes in summer with the white, purple hooded flowers that are a striking feature in their own right. This form is particularly tolerant of summer heat. Give this a large amount of space in which to express itself. It likes reasonable well drained soil and benefits from shade at the height of day.
- Flower colour
- Purple, White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 1.5m
- Spread
- 2m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Prairie garden, Gravel garden, Exotic garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Dry and shady soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Structural, Architectural, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- Yes, leaves are prickly
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided in alternate years. Clumps may be divided into two or more pieces. Rhizomes can be cut whilst small bulbs or offsets are detached. The new plants can be grown in a container or planted in the ground.
Found in
More Acanthus
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Brank-ursine, Artist's acanthus, Oak leafed bear's breeches
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Bear's breeches
Acanthus 'Whitewater'
Whitewater bear's breeches
Acanthus dioscoridis var. perringii
Dioscoridis' bears breeches
Acanthus hirsutus
Hairy bear's breeches
Acanthus hirsutus subsp. syriacus
Syrian hairy bear's breeches
Acanthus hungaricus
Hungarian bear's breeches, Balkan bear's breeches
Acanthus mollis 'Alba'
White oak-leaf bear's breeches