Plants by mail order since 1984 - over 4,100 plants online today!
Burncoose Nurseries - part of the Caerhays Estate
Nursery & Gardens open: Mon - Sat 08.30 - 16.30 & Sun 10:00 - 16:00
Pop up café: Open Thursday-Saturday 10.30 - 14.30 & Sunday 11.00 - 15.00( weather permitting )
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z
  • or use plant finder
  • ACANTHUS mollis
    ACANTHUS mollis
    © Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only.
    <
    ACANTHUS mollis  ACANTHUS mollis  ACANTHUS mollis  ACANTHUS mollis  ACANTHUS mollis and ACONITUM
© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. ACANTHUS mollis and ANEMONE hupehensis 'Queen Charlotte'
© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only. ACANTHUS mollis and ARISTEA ecklonii
© Burncoose Nurseries, all pictures for illustrative purposes only.
    >

    ACANTHUS mollis

    Commonly known as Bear's breeches, Brank ursine

    Tall spikes of white flowers suffused purple, deeply lobed leaves
     
    Full Plant Details - Sun/Soil & other attributes
    • Flowering
      local_florist
      Jan
      local_florist
      Feb
      local_florist
      Mar
      local_florist
      Apr
      local_florist
      May
      local_florist
      Jun
      local_florist
      Jul
      local_florist
      Aug
      local_florist
      Sep
      local_florist
      Oct
      local_florist
      Nov
      local_florist
      Dec
    • Architectural interest
    • Pests & Diseases
      Powdery mildew.
    • Place of origin
      Southwestern Europe, northwestern Africa.
    • Deciduous
    • White
      With purple-shaded bracts.
    • Spikes
      To 1m (39in) tall
    • Border
      Suitable for the back of a border
    • Cottage garden
    • Fully hardy
    • Height
      1.5m (5ft)
    • Spread
      90cm (36in)
    • Herbaceous
      Early in the year, typically January till end of March, herbaceous plants might be supplied in 9cm pots to ensure timely despatch.
      Clump forming perennial. Obovate (flat, egg-shaped, broadest above the middle), deeply lobed leaves, shiny above, to 1m (39in) long. Produces tubular, 2-lipped flowers 3.5-5cm (1½-2in) long often on purple-tinted stems
    • Hardy - cold winter
      Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters. May not withstand open/exposed sites or central/northern locations. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -15°C (5°F)
    • Summer Seasonal Interest
    • Tolerates all
    • Full sun
    • Partial shade
    • Rabbit Resistant
    • Mature Size
      1.5m (5ft)
      Herbaceous - guide for size not form Watering Can
        90cm (36in)
       
    View Detailed Plant Description

     

    View Planting Tips and Care Advice
    View Customers Also Bought
    ACANTHUS 'Whitewater'

    ACANTHUS 'Whitewater'

    Available from £13.50
    ALCHEMILLA mollis

    ALCHEMILLA mollis

    Lady's mantle
    Available from £12.50
    ACANTHUS spinosus

    ACANTHUS spinosus

    Bear's breeches
    Available from £13.50
    CYNARA cardunculus

    CYNARA cardunculus

    Cardoon
    Available from £14.50

    Varieties

    ACANTHUS mollis 'Hollard's Gold'
    Bear's breeches
    Deeply lobed leaves, yellow-green in spring. Spikes of purple-hooded white flowers.
     
    1.5 to 2 Litre
    £13.50
    Available Early Spring 2026
    Spring according to the Met office is defined as March 1st - May 31st. Therefore early spring is early March to mid-April. This is not a guaranteed date but an estimate and subject to availability.
    Notify me when this plant is available to order
    ACANTHUS mollis 'Rue Ledan'
    Bear's breeches
    (syn. 'Jardin en Face'). Deep green lobed leaves and green-hooded white flowers.
     
    1.5 to 2 Litre
    £13.50
    Available from December to January
    Notify me when this plant is available to order

    Useful extras...

    Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
    All-purpose organic concentrated seaweed feed that is a ready to use, derived from sustainable harvested kelp, that can be used on all outdoor and indoor plants, except acid loving plants. Perfect used in conjunction with Rootgrow™.
    1 ltr
    £8.50
    Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
    AFTER PLANT GROW YOUR OWN seaweed is ready to use liquid concentrate that was specially formulated be used on all edible plants.
    1ltr
    £8.50
    Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
    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.
    0.9 kg
    £6.00
    Unavailable
    2.5 kg
    £13.00
    Unavailable
    4.5 kg
    £25.00
    arrow_drop_up