Bear's breeches

A majestic plant, bear's breeches is like a living sculpture in the garden. It offers sturdy spires of white or pink blooms with papery purple bracts that make a dramatic statement, as does the rich-green, spiny-looking foliage.

The plants tolerate poor, dry soil once established but need regular moisture to get started. In well-drained soil bear's breeches can spread to become a large colony, but it is not invasive.

Light:

Sun,Part Sun

Zones:

4-10

Plant Type:

Perennial

Plant Height:

2-5 feet tall

Plant Width:

2-4 feet wide

Flower Color:

White or pink flowers with purple bracts, depending on variety

Bloom Time:

Blooms late spring to late summer, depending on variety

Landscape Uses:

Containers,Beds & Borders

Special Features:

Flowers,Attractive Foliage,Cut Flowers,Dried Flowers,Drought Tolerant

Top Varieties

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Balkan bear's breeches

Acanthus hungaricus bears white or light pink flowers with purple bracts on 2-foot-tall stems in early to midsummer. Zones 6-9
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Common bear's breeches

Acanthus mollis grows to 5 feet tall and produces glossy green leaves and purplish flower stems with mauve-hooded white flowers. Zones 6-10
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Spiny bear's breeches

Acanthus spinosus is the hardiest type. It has white flowers with purple hoods on plants up to 4 feet tall. Zones 4-9
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Plant It With

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Balloon flower

The blue, white, and pink flowers of balloonflower combine well with the purple bracts and white or pink blooms of bear's breeches.

Pearly everlasting

The mounded plant form and white flowers of pearly everlasting pair nicely with spiky bear's breeches.

Spurge

Cushion spurge requires the same growing conditions as bear's breeches. With its early spring bloom and excellent fall color it nicely complements summer bloom season of bear's breeches.

Propagation

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Seed
Division