Acanthus

				With their tall spikes of unusual flowers held above a mound of striking glossy dark green foliage, Acanthus make an invaluable contribution to the architecture of any garden. Being at home in either the herbaceous border or the flower bed. The individual 5cm (2") long tubular flowers come in a variety of colours ranging through white, pink, green, yellow, and purple and are borne on spikes up to 1.5m (5') tall. The flower spikes are produced from late spring through to mid-summer. In the right situation Acanthus can be vigorous, requiring little or no attention for them to thrive. Being fully hardy they really need no special consideration over the winter period, however, it is beneficial to leave some flower spikes and foliage on through the winter period, which in itself adds interest as frost and snow add some sparkle to the flower spikes. The true beauty of an Acanthus Mollis/Spinosus is provided by the magnificent mound of dark green leaves, where its form and architecture provides a foil for the more colourful contributions to our gardens. The towering flower spikes simply providing a wondrous bonus.



© 1993-2003 Christopher P. Lindsey

Varieties: -


Acanthus. balcanicus	See: A. hungaricus

Acanthus. dioscoridis	Form: An upright architectural perennial Height: 3ft (1m) Spread: 18in (45cm) Foliage: Having oval, deeply cut, rigid basal leaves and hairy stems. Flowers: Produces dense spikes of curious funnel-shaped white and purple flowers during the summer.

Acanthus. hirsutus	Height: 6-13in (15-35cm)

Acanthus. hungaricus	Syn: Acanthus. balcanicus Form: A semi-evergreen architectural perennial. Height: 2-4ft (60-120cm) and Spread 3ft (1m) Foliage: Having long, deeply-cut, dark green basal leaves. Flowers: Produces spikes of white, sometimes pink tinged flowers set in spiny purple-red bracts during summer.

Acanthus. longifolius	Syn: Acanthus. hungaricus ~ Acanthus. balcanicus

Acanthus. mollis	Form: A semi-evergreen, stately upright perennial. Height: 4-5ft (1.2-1.5m) Spread: 18in (45cm) Foliage: Having long, oval, deeply cut, dark-green leaves. Flowers: Produces many spikes of white-mauve flowers during summer.

Acanthus. mollis 'Holard's Gold'	Form: A semi-evergreen, stately upright perennial. Height: 4-5ft (1.2-1.5m) Spread: 18in (45cm) Foliage: Having long, oval, deeply cut, bright-green leaves. Flowers: Produces many spikes of white-mauve flowers during summer.

Acanthus. spinosus	Form: A stately, semi-evergreen perennial Height: 4ft (1.2m) Spread: 2ft (60cm) Foliage: Has very large, deeply cut, arching, dark green foliage. Flowers: Freely producing spires of soft mauve and white, funnel shaped flowers during Summer

Cultivation: -

Acanthus can be grown in any reasonably fertile soil, in sun or partial shade. although Acanthus do best in deep, well drained, fertile loam. Acanthus do not like wet feet. Thus a particularly sandy soil, enriched with organic material, will suit them.

It is best to ensure that the site where one plants an Acanthus will be its permanent resting place, for it can be difficult to remove once established due to its ability to regrow from any pieces of root that are left in the ground.

Authors Comment:-

I fully recommend Acanthus as a plant for near the back of the border, where it will provide interest throughout the season simply by virtue of its wonderful leaf colour and shape.
Whilst most Acanthus have dark green leaves, there are specimens that have much lighter leaf colour

Acanthus Mollis "Holard's Gold"

Having grown Acanthus Spinosus in my garden, I have to say that I have never been disappointed with it. Its leaves are deserving of the status they were given when the Greeks and Romans carved bas relief images of them into the ancient buildings we all appreciate today as classic architecture. So I am not alone in my appreciation of yet another fabulous design produced by mother nature.