{"title":"Acanthus","description":"\u003cp\u003eBold, glossy leaves and tall spires of hooded flowers. A striking architectural plant that makes a statement in sun or part shade.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"acanthus-mollis","title":"Acanthus mollis","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eAcanthus mollis\u003c\/em\u003e: Leaves Fit for a Greek Column\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBear's Breeches. Yes, really. Glossy, deeply lobed leaves big enough to need their own postal code, plus hooded white flowers in dusky purple bracts, standing tall like it's waiting to be knighted. ARCHITECTURE YOU DON'T NEED A PERMIT FOR.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Characteristics:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eAcanthus mollis\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bear's Breeches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100–150 cm (3.5–5 ft) in flower\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpread:\u003c\/strong\u003e 90–150 cm (3–5 ft)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e White, hooded flowers set in dusky purple bracts on tall, upright spikes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Time:\u003c\/strong\u003e Midsummer to late summer (July to August)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Large, glossy, deeply lobed and dark green\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeatures:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bold architectural foliage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere to Plant:\u003c\/strong\u003e Use it as a focal point, at the back of a border, or anywhere you want leaves with real presence. In our region, the safest plan is a sheltered spot against a warm, south-facing wall, or a large container that spends the winter in an unheated garage or shed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompanion Plants:\u003c\/strong\u003e Give these bold, glossy leaves and tall flower spikes a lightly shaded bed with moist soil and plenty of finer textures around them. \u003cem\u003eAquilegia Earlybird™ Mixture\u003c\/em\u003e opens mixed columbine colours at 23 to 28 cm from May to July, long before the spikes rise. \u003cem\u003eCampanula 'Rapido Blue'\u003c\/em\u003e edges the front at 15 to 20 cm with deep blue bells from June to September. \u003cem\u003eDigitalis Arctic Fox™ Rose\u003c\/em\u003e adds dark rose foxglove spires at 46 to 61 cm from June to August. \u003cem\u003eCarex muskingumensis\u003c\/em\u003e brings bright green, palm-like whorls at 60 to 90 cm, a fine contrast to the big leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant it in deep, fertile, well-drained soil. It copes with most soils but hates sitting wet over winter, which is often what finishes it off in cold gardens. Water regularly through the first season. Once settled, it handles dry spells well. In cold areas, mulch the crown generously once the ground freezes. Flowering can be sparse where winters are hard, so treat the leaves as the main event and the spikes as a bonus. It spreads by deep, thick roots, and any piece left in the ground can sprout again. Choose its spot carefully and avoid moving it later. Cut the flower stems down after blooming, and tidy tired leaves in fall or early spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eAcanthus mollis\u003c\/em\u003e is native to southern Europe and northwest Africa, and its leaves are the model for the carved foliage on Corinthian column capitals. The genus name comes from the Greek \u003cem\u003eakanthos\u003c\/em\u003e, meaning thorn, while \u003cem\u003emollis\u003c\/em\u003e means soft, a nod to its spineless leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal Thoughts:\u003c\/strong\u003e The deer walk past, the dry spells shrug, and the neighbours start asking who designed your yard. TELL THEM IT WAS THE BEAR.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Perennials","offers":[{"title":"2 Gallon Pot \/ White \/ 7","offer_id":67851583127830,"sku":"ACANMO02","price":42.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0870\/5366\/4534\/files\/Acanthusmollis.png?v=1793727871"}],"url":"https:\/\/blacksheepperennials.com\/collections\/acanthus.oembed","provider":"Black Sheep Perennials","version":"1.0","type":"link"}