Acanthus spinosus flowers.
By Spritzhenry
- 9 Jul, 2009
- 10 likes
Towering up in the top border.
Comments on this photo
Very nice. I've had these for a number of years. I grew mine from seed which I borrowed from somewhere and this is the first season that it hasn't produced a flower spike.
10 Jul, 2009
maybe its having a rest toto, extra big flowers next year
10 Jul, 2009
Maybe Sanbaz. I will wait and see.
10 Jul, 2009
Does yours creep under the soil and pop up everywhere?
10 Jul, 2009
I looooove this - mine came from my sister, via my mum. Mine has two flower spikes this time, still in bud - it hasnt been set long enough to know if it pops up elsewhere Spritz.
10 Jul, 2009
It really is a nuisance, Sandra! I inherited the plant, and I really have to keep digging the off-shoots out, or it would take over the whole border!
So watch out...
10 Jul, 2009
You have beautiful soil though I would guess Spritz - not my heavy clay - it is getting better though, since I had my delivery of manure.
10 Jul, 2009
Good. I do have good soil, yes, but underneath is a layer of stony soil, so if I have to dig deep, like for the new Hydrangea, it's back-breaking and I collect a bucket of large stones. Then I back-fill with compost.
10 Jul, 2009
When I set new plants, like you, I dig a deep hole and then mix the clay I take out with the well rotted manure and multi purpose compost and back fill - the plants seem happy with that. It must be hard work Spritz for you, mine is too. I've been mulching with the muck too, thats working well too.
10 Jul, 2009
Yes, it is rather - did you see that when I dug the new bed I took out at least 6 or 7 barrow loads of stones? It isn't nearly as bad as clay, though. Poor you! :-(
10 Jul, 2009
We all have our cross to bare ..... keeps us fit Spritz :-)
10 Jul, 2009
That is very true, Dawn! ;-)
As long as my back doesn't seize up, that is.
10 Jul, 2009
Mine has been in the same place for at least 5 years and I've had no problems with it running around. Like Dawn I have heavy clay soil. Like Dawn I have managed to improve it over the years.
11 Jul, 2009
I find that I have to dig up little plants from around the main one every year - I try to keep the plant in one area about a metre across. I even found another one yesterday about 2' away! I think they are 'suckers', as they don't pull out, I have to chop them out.
11 Jul, 2009
You should pot them up and sell them on your plant stall next year.
11 Jul, 2009
I don't think it would work - they don't come out with roots!
11 Jul, 2009
Ah!
11 Jul, 2009
...so they must be suckers, mustn't they? I dread to think how far down the root system of the main plant goes!
11 Jul, 2009
Now you've got me worried.
11 Jul, 2009
Why? It only matters if you want to dig it out, doesn't it?
11 Jul, 2009
Tha's very true and providing it behaves itself it can stay.
12 Jul, 2009
I quite like it for its 'architectural' look in the border. It does stand out, doesn't it! I have to support it, or it flops all over the other plants - do you?
12 Jul, 2009
I've never needed to support it. I is very sturdy and supports itself.
12 Jul, 2009
Not the flowers, they stand up straight - the leaves! We inherited some steel circular 'bands' on legs, I put one of those on the top of the plant as it grows, then tuck the floppy leaves inside it. It's hidden by the leaves, and it works well.
12 Jul, 2009
Not even the leaves on mine need support Spritz. The ones down here in Essex are made of sterner stuff.
12 Jul, 2009
I'm amazed! I'm beginning to wonder if we have the same species??
12 Jul, 2009
Maybe that's the reason Spritz. They do seem to behave differently.
12 Jul, 2009
Pictures by spritzhenry
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See who else is growing Acanthus spinosus (Bear's breeches).
See who else has plants in genus Acanthus.
This photo is of "Acanthus spinosus" in Spritzhenry's garden
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i like these, very nice :o)
9 Jul, 2009