Acanthus mollis

Bear’s-breeches are bold specimen plants, very popular with landscape designers. This species forms a clump of huge, deeply-cut glossy green leaves, bearing upright spikes of hooded mauve-pink flowers in summer. A striking cut flower, both fresh and dried. Excellent in the sunny border, best placed where the entire plant can be seen as a specimen. In cold winter regions, grow this in a large container, and bring indoors to a cool, bright frost-free area, or else plan to mulch deeply in late fall. May be divided in spring, and any roots left in the ground will form new little plants.