Acanthus 'Summer Beauty'

RHS Plant Profile

bear's breech 'Summer Beauty'

RHS

Synonyms

Acanthus mollis 'Summerdance'
Acanthus mollis 'Summer Beauty'
Acanthus spinosus 'Summer Beauty'

Herbaceous Perennial

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A robust, clump-forming herbaceous perennial with deeply-lobed, glossy vibrant green foliage forming a mound to 75cm tall. Spikes of white flowers, covered by hood-like spiny bracts, to 1.8m tall are borne above the foliage in summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Acanthaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Acanthus are robust herbaceous perennials with handsome, lobed foliage and tall, erect racemes of two-lipped flowers with colourful bracts
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows best in sun or semi-shade in a well-drained soil. Has the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well

Propagation

Propagate by division or by root cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds
Cut flowers

Pruning

Old flower stems can be cut down

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews