VANDERMEER

PLANT LIBRARY

Find the perfect plant for your space by browsing through this extensive selection that we typically carry every year.

This library is for information purposes only.

 
perennial

Bear's Breeches

Acanthus mollis

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Bear's Breeches (Acanthus mollis) at Vandermeer Nursery

Bear's Breeches flowers

Bear's Breeches flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Bear's Breeches (Acanthus mollis) at Vandermeer Nursery

Bear's Breeches in bloom

Bear's Breeches in bloom

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Bear's Breeches (Acanthus mollis) at Vandermeer Nursery

Bear's Breeches flowers

Bear's Breeches flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Plant Height:  3 feet

Flower Height:  5 feet

Spread:  4 feet

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade  full shade 

Hardiness Zone:  5b

Description:

Large, deep green jagged leaves have great texture and interest; beautiful spikes of pink/white flowers tower over the foliage; long leaves are deeply cut; a vigorous grower with a stunning presentation

Ornamental Features

Bear's Breeches features showy spikes of shell pink hooded flowers with white overtones rising above the foliage in late summer. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its attractive large deeply cut lobed leaves remain dark green in colour throughout the year.

Landscape Attributes

Bear's Breeches is an open herbaceous evergreen perennial with a rigidly upright and towering form. Its wonderfully bold, coarse texture can be very effective in a balanced garden composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

  • Spiny

Bear's Breeches is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Accent
  • Mass Planting
  • General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Bear's Breeches will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity extending to 5 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 4 feet. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant performs well in both full sun and full shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in both summer and winter to conserve soil moisture and protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Accent  Massing  Garden 
Applications
Flowers  Foliage Color  Texture  Plant Form 
Ornamental Features

** Plants listed may not be in stock at all times. **

Please contact us directly for current stock availability.
 
Our inventory varies seasonally and we cannot guarantee that every plant will be in stock at all times. To confirm if we have the plant that you're looking for, please call (905) 427-2525 or e-mail  us at info@vandermeernursery.com.
 
Remember, this library does not include our entire selection. Visit us year-round to check out varieties that may not be listed here!