Acanthus always seem to get bad press because of a couple of thugs that have been planted inappropriately over the years.
We grow two main groups:
Acanthus mollis forms make good clumps and forms like the albino 'Rue Ledan' and the strong flowering 'Long Spike' from Beth Chatto's garden are garden worthy plants. Best planted in the right place first time though.
Other species are mostly smaller and from hot dry climates with the ability to go dormant in summer if it gets too hot and dry for them.
Most Acanthus will flower best in sun though it's not essential for A mollis.
A compact species with more entire greyish leaves and spikes of creamy flowers nestled amongst reddish-purple bracts. Well drained soil in full sun. 60cm.
(Collected as A. balcanicus MESE 561) A neat, deciduous, plant with jagged green foliage and stocky spikes of soft pink flowers from green bracts. Drained soil in full sun. 30-60cm.
Originating in Beth Chatto's Essex garden this superb form of the species produces spectacular, well, long spikes of pinkish flowers to between 1.2 and 1.5m. Sun, drained soil.
A pure white flowered form of this reliable garden perennial. Big clumps of deep green jagged foliage and spikes of flowers to 90cm. Average soil in sun is best.
