Acanthus mollis Rue Ledan - Bear's Breech

Even larger and even more ornamental, the Acanthus mollis Rue Ledan (Jeff Albus) is an adorable, easy-to-grow giant. This majestic perennial forms large clumps of vibrant green, glossy, deeply cut leaves, from which impressive spikes rise in summer, adorned with white flowers topped with slightly purplish green spiny bracts. This hardy plant with a graphic habit is ideal for adding volume to a sunny, semi-shaded, or shady border. It tolerates all types of soil, even dry conditions in summer. 

The name comes from the Greek 'akhantha', meaning thorn, and the Latin 'mollis', meaning soft, gentle. A name that embodies the duality of this plant, which is both soft and prickly. This plant belongs to the Acanthaceae family. The variety 'Rue Ledan', also known as 'Jeff Albus', is distinguished mainly by its unusual flowers' white and green colour. It is a perennial herbaceous plant with a dense, upright, bushy habit that can reach 80 cm (32in) in height for the foliage and 70 cm (28in) in width. It produces long, shiny, deeply cut leaves with toothed edges. In June-July, while the foliage tends to fade, large spikes of flowers appear, rising 1m (3ft) 30 or 1 m (98 or 3ft) 50 above the ground. These spikes bear large, two-lipped, crumpled flowers. Each flower is topped with a purplish green spiny bract, giving the flower heads a two-tone appearance in green and white. The flowering attracts large pollinating insects such as bumblebees or carpenter bees. The fruits are shiny capsules containing large seeds. The foliage completely disappears after flowering, reappears in autumn, and remains evergreen throughout the winter in not-too-cold climates. The plant spreads from a stump with large fleshy roots capable of storing water and food reserves during dry periods.

The 'Rue Ledan' acanthus is sure not to leave any gardeners indifferent; it will either be adored or hated. While it may not be the hardiest of its genus (-12/-15°C (10.4/5°F)), it is easy to grow and naturalises where it thrives, in the shade of woodlands. With its antique charm, this plant loves rocks and the base of old walls. It is a beautiful plant for a white garden in cool climates, alongside the viridiflora rose, wild carrot, Echinacea 'Green Jewel', and digitalis 'Snow Thimble'. In a dry garden, it is a robust, reliable perennial that pairs well with the blue blooms of Caryopteris, Ceratostigma griffithii, Perowskia 'Blue Spire', or Lobelia laxiflora and Epilobium canum in warm tones. It is ideal for adding verticality and volume to perennial borders. It is also a beautiful focal plant in a natural setting or a large container on the patio.