Acanthus dioscoridis var. perringii

RHS Plant Profile
Perring’s bear’s breech

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Synonyms

Acanthus perringii

Herbaceous Perennial
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A clump-forming deciduous perennial to 40cm tall, with deeply divided, spiny grey-green leaves and fleshy, running roots. Produces long, upright spikes of flowers, with lilac pink sepals and creamy white corollas, from late spring to late summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–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

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Acanthaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Acanthus are robust herbaceous perennials with handsome, lobed foliage and tall, erect racemes of two-lipped flowers with colourful bracts
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
S Turkey

How to Grow

Cultivation

Prefers deep, fertile well-drained loam, but will grow in almost any soil, in sun or partial shade. Spreads by rhizomes. Has the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in spring, by division in spring or autumn, or by root cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut down spent flower stems after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to Powdery mildews