Acanthus mollis SEEDS

Acanthus mollis seeds grow into bear’s breeches a large, clump-forming perennial native to the temperate biome from north-western Africa, Sardinia and the western Mediterranean east to the eastern Mediterranean. Described by Linnaeus (1753). One of the most historically significant ornamental plants in Western culture: the deeply lobed, dark glossy leaves of Acanthus mollis served as the model for the Corinthian capital, the most elaborate of the three classical Greek architectural orders, which later became the standard decorative motif of the entire Greco-Roman world and remains one of the most recognisable decorative forms in architecture today. Medicinal, food and environmental uses recorded. Produces spectacular erect flower spikes to 120200 cm of purple-hooded, white-lipped flowers in summer. Cold-hardy to 15C once established. RHS Award of Garden Merit. Family Acanthaceae, Order Lamiales.

Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soils; warm temperate to Mediterranean conditions; cold-hardy to 15C. Tuberous roots make it drought-tolerant once established. Spreads slowly by rhizomes.

• The Corinthian capital inspiration one of the most historically significant plants in Western decorative art
• Linnaeus (1753); RHS AGM; medicine, food and environmental uses; cold-hardy to 15C
• NW. Africa, Sardinia to E. Mediterranean temperate biome; dark glossy lobed leaves; spikes to 200 cm
• Genus Acanthus ~30 species; family name from Greek akanthos (thorn); Family Acanthaceae
• Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soils; drought-tolerant; Mediterranean; Family Acanthaceae

Acanthus mollis is bear’s breeches a plant whose deeply sculpted leaves gave birth to one of the most enduring motifs in Western architectural history, the Corinthian capital, while its bold summer spikes and cold-hardy constitution make it one of the finest architectural perennials for temperate gardens, celebrated by the RHS with its Award of Garden Merit.

IMPORTANT: Pictures show the adult plant, which is not for sale. The offer is only for seeds.