Acanthus dioscoridis var. perringii
Dioscoridis' bears breeches
- Height × spread
- 0.46m × 0.6m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This jagged little plant sends up an impressive pink flowering spike in June and July. It is a more manageable-sized variety of the spectacular acanthus. It produces a dense intricate grey green foliage mat in the winter months, sending up little offshoots that nestle around the parent like innocent fledglings. In the wild it is found in the mountains where it lives on dry and gravelled slopes. The foliage remains in better condition if flower heads are cut off before they can set seed. It likes a heavy to medium alkaline soil in a sheltered sunny spot and it grows to around 40cm (16in) high
- Flower colour
- Pink
- Foliage colour
- Green, Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.46m
- Spread
- 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Rock garden, Gravel garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Poor soil
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry and shady soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Use for
- 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 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