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Acanthus mollis (seeds)

Acanthus mollis
Bear's Breeches

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A vigorous perennial plant, appreciated for its large sculptural leaves and its spikes of spectacular flowers. They stand tall in summer, adorned with white flowers marked with purple. Relatively hardy, it goes dormant in the dry undergrowth of the Midi in summer and awakens in autumn. Elsewhere, if it has a bit of coolness, it will bring a beautiful summer lushness to the garden and disappear in winter. Sowing in open ground in autumn or spring or in a cold frame from March.
Flower size
3 cm
Height at maturity
1.50 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade, Shade
Annual / Perennial
Perennial
Germination time (days)
15 days
Sowing method
Direct sowing, Sowing under cover, Sowing under cover with heat
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Sowing period March to July, September to October
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Flowering time May to August
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Description

The soft-leaved acanthus, in Latin Acanthus mollis, is a robust perennial of Mediterranean undergrowth appreciated for its architectural vegetation. Its large dark leaves with beautifully cut foliage adorn Corinthian capitals, while its floral spikes, laden with long white-pink and purple flowers with spiny bracts, have inspired the Empire style. The acanthus is relatively cold-resistant in the garden and adapts its vegetative cycle according to the climate. It is a plant with a rare elegance, which brings volume, texture, and luxuriance to any setting. However, its spread should be controlled, as where it thrives, for example, in old gardens in the South of France, it self-seeds abundantly—the seeds flower after three years.

The Acanthus mollis belongs to the Acanthaceae family. It is native to northern Greece, Albania, and Croatia. It is a perennial herbaceous plant whose stump spreads through large, fleshy roots. These roots also serve as storage organs, allowing it to survive the summer drought, resting underground. The acanthus is tolerant of soil conditions; it likes rocks and tolerates limestone very well, but in northern regions, it does not appreciate very clayey and wet soils in winter. However, its well-established stump can withstand brief frosts of around -12 to -15°C in well-drained soil.

At maturity, the Soft-leaved Acanthus will form a beautifully spreading clump reaching approximately 70 cm in height and 80 cm in width. In hot climates, it blooms in late spring, avoids drought underground in summer, and its vegetation restarts in autumn, remaining throughout winter if temperatures do not drop below -8°C. In cooler climates, its foliage emerges in spring, blooms in the heart of summer and goes dormant underground in autumn to escape the cold. The foliage, dark green and glossy, is composed of leaves that can reach 1 metre long, deeply lobed.

The flowering is spectacular, from June to August, depending on the region: tall floral stems emerge from the ground, reaching up to 1.25 m or 1.50 m. Very rigid, they do not require staking. Each spike carries many elongated flowers, 5 cm long, tightly packed together and almost horizontally oriented. Each white flower is partially enveloped in purple sepals and equipped with formidable spiny bracts. This flowering attracts pollinating insects such as large black bees (carpenter bees or xylocopes). The flowers are followed by large brown seeds embedded in the spiny bracts, which are impossible to harvest without wearing gloves!

The Great-leaved Acanthus finds its place in undergrowth, in perennial borders, or even along pathways. It can also be planted as a standalone specimen, providing volume and verticality to a somewhat austere ensemble, for example, against a dark background of hedges or conifers. The acanthus flowers, as well as its leaves, enhance large fresh or dried bouquets. The plant pairs well with wildflowers or plants with flexible foliage like grasses, creating a beautiful contrast. As it tolerates root competition very well, it can be planted under a pine or oak tree with periwinkles or variegated ivy 'Gloire de Marengo' used as ground cover.

Properties: Acanthus is still used today in traditional medicine to treat inflammations. It was formerly used to obtain a yellow pigment.

 

Acanthus mollis (seeds) in pictures

Acanthus mollis (seeds) (Flowering) Flowering
Acanthus mollis (seeds) (Plant habit) Plant habit

Flowering

Flower colour pink
Flowering time May to August
Inflorescence Spike
Flower size 3 cm
Good for cut flowers Cut flower blooms

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour dark green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1.50 m
Spread at maturity 1 m
Growth rate fast

Botanical data

Genus

Acanthus

Species

mollis

Family

Acanthaceae

Other common names

Bear's Breeches

Origin

Mediterranean

Product reference19674

Planting and care

Sowing advice:

Direct sowing in the field in autumn, with seeds harvested at maturity.

Sowing under cold frames in early spring. Soak the seeds in warm water for 12 hours.

Sowing in the field in May/June. Soak the seeds in warm water for 12 hours.

Sow the seeds at a depth of 2 cm in good, light, moist, and well-drained soil. Germination will take 7 to 21 days at temperatures between 18 and 20 °C.

Transplant the young plants when they are developed enough to be handled, usually six weeks after sowing. Transplanting should occur in spring in cooler climates or autumn in hotter areas, with a spacing of 70 cm between plants.

Cultivation advice:

Acanthus mollis should be planted in spring (in cool climates) or early autumn (in hot climates), depending on the region. It prefers partial shade but can tolerate full sun. It grows in hot temperatures in the shade of large trees, even in competition with their roots. Cultivate it in a sheltered location, in any soil, as long as it is rich, deep, and well-drained. Limestone is not a problem, nor are rocky soils. Very compact and clayey soils, waterlogged in winter, should be avoided in our regions where winters are cold. It tolerates coastal air. Space the acanthus plants 60-70 cm apart. Apply compost in autumn or spring. Keep the soil moist in summer in cooler climates and allow the acanthus to enter dormancy in hot areas. In cold regions, apply winter mulch for at least the first year after planting.

Cultivate acanthus in a mixture of garden soil and compost under bright, filtered light in a greenhouse. Water moderately during the growing season. It is a plant that does not like to be moved. After flowering, cut the flower spikes if you do not want it to self-seed. To prevent it from spreading, cut the flower spike before it produces seeds; be careful, as it can be prickly. In spring, slugs and snails can invade acanthus, especially on humid days. They are susceptible to powdery mildew in hot and humid conditions.

 

6
€19.50
18
€14.50 Each

Sowing period

Sowing period March to July, September to October
Sowing method Direct sowing, Sowing under cover, Sowing under cover with heat
Germination time (days) 15 days

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Shaded rockery, Woodland edge, Undergrowth
Type of use Border, Back of border
Hardiness Hardy down to -15°C (USDA zone 7b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Exposure Sun, Partial shade, Shade
Soil pH Neutral, Calcareous
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, well-drained

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