Acanthus hungaricus

(=Acanthus balcanus) Bear’s-breeches are bold specimen plants, very popular with landscape designers. This medium-sized species forms a clump of mean-looking spiny olive-green leaves, bearing upright spikes of hooded light-pink flowers in summer. Has shown itself to be much hardier than most other forms, well worth trying in colder regions particularly with a winter mulch. Excellent for cutting, fresh or dried. Plants dislike wet soil during the winter months. May be divided in spring, and any root pieces left in the ground will grow into new little plants. Seldom offered.