Acanthus hirsutus
Hairy bear's breeches
Also known as Acanthus caroli-alexandri
- Height × spread
- 0.35m × 0.3m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This makes a clump of grey-green leaves that are oblong and deeply cut with spiny lobes that are less vicious than they appear. From the spreading clump of foliage arise sturdy flowering spikes that carry creamy-yellow hooded flowers that arch out from the upright stem. The flowers are held in green bracts. The effect of a plant in full bloom is both subtle and striking. Its compact size and robust appearance provide a good contrast with slender wavy plants. This flowers in late spring and early summer. The flower heads are best removed before they can set seed since this keeps the foliage in a better condition.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 0.35m
- Spread
- 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Gravel garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry and shady soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, 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 to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
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
Acanthus mollis
Brank-ursine, Artist's acanthus, Oak leafed bear's breeches
Acanthus
Bear's breeches
Acanthus 'Summer Beauty'
Spiny bear's breeches
Acanthus 'Whitewater'
Whitewater bear's breeches
Acanthus dioscoridis var. perringii
Dioscoridis' bears 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