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Acanthus mollis 'Spattered' (Variegated Bear's Breeches) - A large coarse leafed rhizomatous semi-evergreen perennial to 3-4 feet tall and 3 feet wide, with large dark green deeply lobed leaves edged with a light yellow variegation. Vertical flower spikes, appearing in spring through early summer, are 4-6 feet tall, with flattened hooded white to light pink flowers subtended by spiny green and purple bracts.
Plant in full coastal sun to light shade (seems best with full morning sun) and water regularly to occasionally - will go summer dormant without irrigation and if treated this way can be considered "drought tolerant". Foliage is knocked back by a frost, but it is root hardy to about 5 degrees F. Trim off the spiny remains of the flower stalk after flowering. This plant expands its presence in the garden by rhizomes that can be dug up, but it is best contained by root barriers to lessen the spread it is considered invasive by some gardeners but doesn't seem to be out of control in our mediterranean climate. Control snails and slugs that disfigure the bold foliage.
Bear's Breeches is native to Portugal in southern Europe east around the Mediterranean Sea to Croatia and across to North Africa. The name for the genus is derived from the Greek word 'įkantha' which means "thorn" or "spike" and the specific epithet is Latin for "soft" or "smooth", in reference to the texture of the leaves. Other common names include Bearsfoot, Grecian Plant, Wild Rhubarb and in Australia it is called Oyster Plant, which likely refers to the white, flattened flowers. The striking leaves are considered to have been inspiration for decorations of Greco-Roman architecture.
This variegated plant was discovered in our seedling blocks of Acanthus mollis in 1999 by our outside salesman John Koegler.
The information displayed on this page about Acanthus mollis 'Spattered' is based on our research conducted about this plant from books in our nursery library as well as from information that is provided by reliable online resources. We also have included our own observations made about it as it grew in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers when we had them in our nursery field. We also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.
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