Bear's Breeches
Acanthus spinosus
Plant Details:
Plant Type: Perennial
Plant Family: Acanthaceae
Plant Description: This plant has a clumping habit but can spread aggressively by creeping rootstocks. The leaves are glossy green with spiny, thistle-like leaves that arch to the ground. The flowers are pure white snapdragon-like flowers with reddish-purple hooded look. Flower spikes are 3-4 feet tall. They prefer average, well-drained soil and should not be overwatered.
Maintenance:
Maintenance Type: Perennial - Herbaceous
Plant Care: Perennial - Herbaceous (soft-stemmed plants that die back in winter and regrow in spring): Remove spent blooms to promote rebloom later. Some plants tend to flop over after the first bloom and attempt to regrow from the base; in these cases, the old stems can be cut away in summer. As plants become dormant in the fall, remove dead leaves and stems.
Plant Attributes:
Mature Size: 3-4' tall x 2-3' wide
Utah Native: No
Plant Select: No
Pollinator Friendly: Yes
Localscapes: Perimeter Plant, Foundation Plant, Infill Plant
Foliage Interest: No
Foliage Colors: Green
Bloom Colors: Pink, Mauve
Bloom Seasons: Summer
Bloom Period: Jun - Aug
Growing Conditions:
Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9
Light Requirement: Full Sun (6+ hrs sun), Part Shade (4-6 hrs morning sun), Part Sun (4-6 hrs afternoon sun)
Irrigation Requirement: 
Moderate (1/2" every 7-10 days)
Moderate (1/2" every 7-10 days)
Salt Tolerant: Unknown
Deer Resistant: Yes
Garden Location:
-
Neighborhood Landscapes
- Tradition with a Twist
-
Spring -
Summer -
Fall -
Winter
