Scientific Name Acanthus spinosus Common Name Bear's breeches

Perennial Flowers Consumer Hort Index - Fact Sheets

Characteristics Season midsummer Height 36-48 inches Hardiness USDA Hardiness Zone 7-10 Flower Color white and purple Soil well drained Exposure partial shade Propagation root cuttings in spring North Carolina Regions Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plain Comments Bear's breeches makes a bold architectural statement with its large, spiny leaves, which served as the pattern for the design on Greek Corinthian columns. Origin Europe

Prepared by: orginally by Alice B. Russell, retired Extension Specialist, NC State University
                     maintained and expanded by Erv Evans, Consumer Horticulturist, NC State University

Images: ©Alice B. Russell and Erv Evans

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