Acanthus mollis - Bear's Breech

The Acanthus mollis, also known as Soft-leaved Acanthus, is a robust perennial appreciated since ancient Greek times for its architectural silhouette. This plant has a fancy name that brings to mind fancy letters. It has big, dark leaves with pretty designs on them. Its tall, spike-like parts have long white-pink and purple flowers with spiky parts. This plant has inspired the early Empire style. The Acanthus is relatively cold-resistant in the garden and adapts its growth cycle according to the climate. It is a spectacular ground cover plant, which brings volume, texture, and luxuriance to any setting. To prevent the spread of this plant, it's essential to control it. In old gardens in hot climates, it can spread quickly and overtake the garden in sunny and shady areas.

The Acanthus mollis is a plant that belongs to the Acanthaceae family. It is a perennial herb that grows in Northern Greece, Albania, and Croatia. The plant's roots spread through the ground, allowing it to survive hot summers by resting underground. The Acanthus mollis can grow in many types of soil, but it prefers rocky soil and does not do well in compact and clayey soil that is very wet in winter. However, its well-established base can withstand brief frosts of about -12°C (10.4°F) to -15°C in well-drained soil.

At maturity, the Soft-leaved Acanthus forms a beautifully spreading shrub reaching about 60 cm (24in) in height and 80 cm (32in) in width. In hotter climates, it blooms in late spring, hides from the summer drought underground, and resumes its growth in autumn, remaining evergreen throughout winter if temperatures do not drop below -8°C (17.6°F). In cooler climates, its foliage emerges in spring, blooms in the middle of summer and goes dormant underground in autumn to escape the cold. The dark green, glossy foliage consists of leaves that can reach a length of 1 metre (3 feet), deeply lobed.

The flowering is spectacular, occurring from June to August; depending on the climate it is planted in, tall flower stalks emerge from the ground, reaching up to 1.25 m (4ft) or 1.50 m (5ft) above the ground. Very rigid, they do not require staking. Each spike bears many elongated flowers, 5 cm (2in) long, pressed closely together and nearly horizontal. 

Purple sepals partially envelop each white flower and have formidable spiny bracts. This flowering attracts numerous pollinating insects such as large black bees. After the flowers, large brown seeds develop, embedded in the spiny bracts: impossible to harvest without wearing gloves!

This spectacular plant is ideal for undergrowth, perennial borders, or pathways. It can also be planted as a standalone plant, providing volume and verticality to a somewhat austere setting, for example, against a dark background of hedges or conifers. The flowers of Acanthus mollis and its leaves can be used to create large fresh or dried bouquets. The plant pairs well with wildflowers or plants with soft foliage, such as grasses, creating a beautiful contrast. Since it tolerates root competition very well, it can be planted under a pine or oak tree. In a warm garden, its foliage disappears in summer, so it is recommended to pair it with Caryopteris, Perovskia, Lobelia laxiflora, or Epilobium canum, which bloom in summer and will cover its empty spot.

Properties: Acanthus is still used in traditional medicine today to treat inflammation. It was formerly used to obtain a yellow colour pigment.