Long-leaved bear’s breech (Acanthus hungaricus)

Long-leaved bear’s breech (Acanthus hungaricus) is a perennial plant that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and 50cm – 1.5m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Long-leaved bear’s breech (Acanthus hungaricus).

This plant has several common names including: long-leaved bear’s breech or long-leaved bear’s breeches.

This is a deciduous plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.

Plant profile

Common name: long-leaved bear’s breech, long-leaved bear’s breeches
Scientific name: Acanthus hungaricus
Plant type: Perennials
Habit: Columnar / Upright
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: 50cm – 1.5m
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Clay, Loam
Moisture: Moist but well drained
Garden type: Architectural, Informal Garden
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding, Low Maintenance

Seasonal colors

How to plant Long-leaved bear’s breech (Acanthus hungaricus) – Guy Waterval, Apache License 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Perennial plants are one of the largest groups of plants.

They offer color, shape, fragrance and seasonal textures. The variety is such that there are plants to suit all sizes and styles of garden.

Traditionally, perennials are grown in borders, using a wall or hedge as a backdrop to bring out all their splendor during summer.

But since most gardens are not large enough for long borders dedicated exclusively to perennials, they are usually planted in mixed borders and beds, along with shrubs, annuals, biennials, and bulbs that extend the season of interest.

How to plant

In this section we will learn how to plant Long-leaved bear’s breech (Acanthus hungaricus), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.

Soil

Long-leaved bear’s breech (Acanthus hungaricus) is a plant that prefers to grow in clay or loam.

• Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).

• The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.

It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.

Regarding drainage, Acanthus hungaricus likes to grow in moist but well drained soil.

Sunlight

Long-leaved bear’s breech (Acanthus hungaricus) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.

Cultivation profiles – Growing Long-leaved bear’s breech (Acanthus hungaricus) – Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons