July Perennial of the Month-Bear’s Breeches

Easily confused as a weedy thistle at first glance, Acanthus spinous, or bear’s breeches, is one of the most celebrated perennials in our culture over the centuries…most people just don’t recognize it.

Acanthus leaves were first represented in architecture by the Greeks, in the 5th century BC. Since then, the ‘weedy’ acanthus leaf has been replicated on columns, friezes, and furniture-possibly beating the rose (who wins in literature and prose) when it comes to floral 3D representation.

The purple and white flowers are just as sculptural and striking as the leaves, rising 24-48” above the leafy rosette. 

Both leaves and flowers are spiny (hence the specific epithet-spinosa.) The story behind the name also is credited to the Greeks, in which Acantha, a nymph, rebuffed the advances by Apollo by scratching his face. In return, Apollo turned her into the Acanthus plant. (Thankfully, it’s easier to have a plant named for you these days without the eternal celestial metamorphosis.)

Bear’s breeches will grow in full sun to part-shade in a wide range of soils as long as they are well-drained. Slow to establish; patience is required when waiting for it to mature and bloom. Once established, it needs to stay put since transplanting is difficult, and any root left behind will resprout. Acanthus mollis with similar structure and flowers is less spiny than A. spinosus. (mollis means ‘soft hairs’) However, this species is not as hardy in St. Louis and quite the gamble if you want to try it.

What I love about this plant–

-Rabbit tolerant.

-Great history!

-Incredible structural plant, even when not in flower.

-Long lasting bloom time.

What’s not so great–

-Not friendly plant-leaves and flowers are very spiny. 

-Hard to transplant-choose wisely and leave it be.

-Hard to get rid of-any root fragments will resprout.

-Can be prone to powdery mildew-good air circulation helps.

-Considered aggressive in ‘optimum’ conditions according to MBG.

Comments or questions? Email Garden-Lou at gardenloustl@gmail.com

Words and photos by Jo Batzer

© Jo Batzer, garden-lou.com-2023, All rights reserved.