2007 Theodore Klein Plant Award Winner

Acanthus spinosus (Bear's Breeches); is a herbaceous perennial prized for exceptional foliage, unique flowers and tremendous adaptability. Happy in full sun or part shade, this tough plant offers glossy dark green spiny foliage in a mass up to about 24". The unique late spring flowers of white, purple and mauve are produced on tall husky spikes that extend a foot or more above the foliage. Spring root cuttings placed in a warm moist environment produce shoots in 3-5 weeks (Armitage, 2008) is a good propagation method as is seed propagtion and spring division.