Acanthus mollis: a versatile and texturally interesting large perennial

Acanthus mollis (common name: ‘bear’s breaches’) is a remarkably versatile perennial with lovely large and textural dark green leaves and tall spikes of white and purple flowers. Meriting a place at the back or middle of any large border, A. mollis will grow to heights of 1.2m and widths of up to 0.8m.

 

Happy in almost any location providing there is a reasonable amount of sunshine, A. mollis can tolerate a wide variety of soils. In common with so many perennials, it dislikes very wet ground but, once established, it can cope with drier conditions and relatively windy sites. It is sufficiently hardy to survive the worst of our UK winters.

 

From a garden designer’s point of view, we love to use A. mollis for textural contrast. It works brilliantly as a single ‘statement’ plant or, if space permits, in groups of three or five. As a ‘companion’ plant, it looks wonderful alongside plants with smaller leaves and a different shape. The tall and feathery foliage of Foeniculum purpureum (bronze fennel) is a great partner, as are the thin tall stems of Verbena bonariensis, or the impressive flower towers of Digitalis (foxgloves). Alternatively, lower growing perennials such as Geranium, Salvia or Sedum make for interesting contrast assuming the soil and conditions are right, as does the ornamental grass Stipa tenuissima.

 

A. mollis is a superb plant for a mixed planting border. Providing bold and interesting foliage and attractive and unusual flowers, it offers us excellent seasonal height and a touch of ‘something a little different’. We love to include A. mollis in many of the gardens we design for our customers and it never fails to delight.

​

 

Tythorne Garden Design provides professional fixed-fee garden design solutions for customers in Grantham, Stamford, Newark and surrounding areas. Let's see how we can help you to enjoy your garden more. Call us on 07900 224 239 or 01529 455 355.

​

​