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Products > Acanthus mollis 'Spattered'
 
Acanthus mollis 'Spattered' - Variegated Bear's Breeches
 
Working on getting this plant out in the field but it is not yet available listing for information only! 
Image of Acanthus mollis 'Spattered'
[2nd Image]
Habit and Cultural Information
Category: Perennial
Family: Acanthaceae (Acanthus¹)
Origin: Portugal (Europe)
Variegated Foliage: Yes
Flower Color: Pinkish White
Bloomtime: Spring/Summer
Height: 3-4 feet
Width: 3-4 feet
Exposure: Light Shade/Part Sun
Summer Dry: Yes
Deer Tolerant: Yes
Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs
Winter Hardiness: 0-10° F
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. 

This information about Acanthus mollis 'Spattered' displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.