Plants by mail order since 1984, over 4100 plants online today!
6th January 2021. In line with the current government lockdown rules, Burncoose Nurseries is closed to visitors. However at present we are able to offer click and collect to local customers. This will be weekdays only, not weekends.
Mail order is continuing as normal. However please allow extra time for the couriers to deliver, once despatched from us. Sorry to say that some depots are experiencing high volumes of traffic, also staff shortages.
ACANTHUS spinosus
Commonly known as Bear's breeches
Similar to mollis, but not so large. Leaves deeply cut and spiny
Further Reading....
- Details
- Description
- Mature Size
- Tips and Advice
- Goes Well With
- Planting Combinations
- Other Suggestions
- See Also...
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White - pure white with purple bracts.
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Height - 1.5m (5ft)
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Spread - 60-90cm (24-36in)
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Herbaceous - Early in the year, typically January till end of March, herbaceous plants might be supplied in 9cm pots to ensure timely despatch. - variable, clump forming perennial. Narrowly oblong-ovate, arching, dark-green leaves to 1m (39in) long. Produces tubular, 2-lipped flowers 3.5-5cm (1½-2in) long
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Hardy - average winter - Hardy through most of the UK apart from inland valleys, at altitude and central/northerly locations. May suffer foliage damage and stem dieback in harsh winters in cold gardens. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -10°C (14°F)
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Full sun
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Partial shade
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Additional Features - Architectural interest -
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Pests & Diseases - powdery mildew.
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Place of origin - Italy to western Turkey.
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Flower Shape - Spikes - - to 1m (39in) tall
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Hardiness - Frost hardy (down to -5) -
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Leaf shape - Ovate - see photos above
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Seasonal Interest - Summer -
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Soil Conditions - Tolerates all -
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Wildlife - Rabbit Resistant -
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Acanthus - Care Guide
Herbaceous Plants - Video Collection
- Dividing Herbaceous Perennials - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Spring Planting Osteospermums - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Dividing Summer Perennials - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Dividing summer flowering Hemerocallis - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Summer propagation - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Self-seeding aquilegia - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Supporting Plants - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Dead heading meconopsis - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Dead heading Delphiniums - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Feeding herbaceous peonies - Video Tip ondemand_video
1.5m (5ft)
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60-90cm (24-36in) |
Useful extras...

Harrod Horticulture Plant Supports - Plant & Border Supports
Trumpet wire support
The Harrod Peony plant supports have a striking trumpet shape which is ideal for supporting many plants including peonies. Available in several sizes, in traditional rust & matt black colour.
6 options from £36.00

Harrod Horticulture Plant Supports - Plant & Border Supports
Short circular wire plant support
The Harrod short circular plant supports available in rust or matt black are ideal for herbs, campanulas, agapanthus, shrub roses, hollyhocks and foxgloves and are made to last.
2 options from £32.00

Harrod Horticulture Plant Supports - Plant & Border Supports
Spiral plant support
These flat-top spiral supports hold plant stems and come in packs of 3
2 options from £11.95

Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser
A useful fertiliser suitable for use on a wide variety of plants. Q4 provides all the nutrients and trace elements essential for vigorous growth, abundant flowering and ripening of fruit.
3 options from £6.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi
Recommended by the RHS. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi. Suitable for all trees and shrubs (except rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, cranberries and blueberries)
2 options from £6.00

Vermin & Pest Control
Slug Pellets
Slug killer blue mini pellets are easy to use and give effective control of slugs and snails.
Ideal in garden, conservatory or greenhouse.
Only £6.50