Family: Acanthaceae
Common names: Bear’s breeches, Bear’s breech, Bear’s foot, Sea dock, Bearsfoot, Bear’s foot plant, Common acanthus, Gator plant, Artist’s acanthus, Soft-leaved bear’s breeches, Oak-leafed bear’s breeches, Oak leaf acanthus, Oyster plant, Sea holly, False orchid, Grecian pattern plant
Bear’s breeches is a large, leafy perennial plant originating from the Mediterranean region, including Southern Europe, North Africa and parts of Western Asia. It naturally grows in areas with mild, wet winters and hot dry summers. Therefore, these plants are suitable for Mediterranean-style gardens in temperate climate, although it appreciates some afternoon shade where summers are very hot.
Plant Characteristics
Bear’s breeches are strong, clump-forming perennials that usually grows around 1 to 1.5 metres tall when flowering, with few plants capable of reaching about 1.8 metres.
The leafy clump is generally around 60 to 90 centimetres wide. They do not have a woody trunk, the leaves and flowering stems growing directly from a crown close to the ground.
The plant has thick, fleshy roots and underground rhizomes. These roots can grow horizontal to the soil and produce new shoots, allowing a mature plant to gradually form a larger colony.
Even small pieces of root left in the ground may produce fresh growth, so Bear’s breeches can be difficult to remove once established in the soil.
Its large, glossy dark green leaves are one of its main attractions. They form a broad green rosette that is deeply lobed, giving the plant a lush and slightly tropical appearance.
Mature leaves can reach roughly 30 to 60 centimetres long. During summer, tall, upright, stunning flower spikes rise well above the foliage. The flowers are white to pale pinkish-white and are nestled between purple or purplish-green bracts.
These flowers have 2 distinct lips, an upper and a lower one, the upper one being slightly larger than the lower one.
After flowering, the plant produces green capsules containing the seeds. The foliage may remain for much of the year in mild conditions, but it can die back during cold winters. It may also become dormant during very hot, dry summers, especially when watering is low.
Gardening Tips
Bear’s breeches grows in full sun or partial shade. In cooler regions it flowers well in the sun, while in hot, harsh climates some afternoon shade helps protect its broad leaves from scorching and wilting.
A sheltered position is useful because the tall flower stems look better when they are not exposed to strong winds.
Plant it in fertile, reasonably deep and well-drained soil. It can tolerate clay, loam, sandy and even somewhat rocky soils, provided water does not remain around the roots for long periods. Give each plants about 60 to 90 centimetres of space so that their large leaves can develop properly.
Choose the planting position carefully because these plants do not like to be disturbed. Their spreading roots can become quite aggressive and difficult to remove.
Water young plants regularly till their roots grow out. Older plants are fairly drought tolerant, although occasional deep watering during long dry periods keeps the leaves looking better.
A layer of compost or well-rotted organic matter around the plant in spring usually provides enough feeding in reasonably fertile garden soil.
Remove old flower stalks at the base after flowering if seeds are not wanted. Dead or damaged foliage can also be cleared away to keep the area tidy. Slugs and snails sometimes damage the leaves, while powdery mildew can occur under unsuitable growing conditions.
Its vigorous underground spread can be a bigger gardening problem than pests, and in some regions Bear’s breeches has the potential to become invasive.
Uses of Bear’s Breeches
Bear’s breeches is mainly grown as an ornamental plant. Its large, deeply cut leaves give borders a bold tropical appearance, while the tall purple-and-white flower spikes add height during the flowering season.
It works particularly well toward the back of borders, in cottage gardens, Mediterranean-style gardens and as a large specimen plant. The flowering stems can also be used as cut flowers.
The plant also has an interesting connection with art and architecture. Acanthus leaves have been used as decorative inspiration since ancient times and are particularly associated with ornamental designs on classical column capitals.
Bear’s breeches has long been grown around the Mediterranean both for its appearance and its cultural significance.
Bear’s breeches also has a history of traditional medicinal use. Its leaves have traditionally been applied for wounds, burns, skin diseases and inflammation, digestive, respiratory and urinary complaints. Modern research shows that several plant compounds have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
In the garden, its dense foliage can provide useful ground cover beneath taller planting and can help fill difficult spaces where other plants cannot grow.
Because it spreads strongly from its roots, however, it is better suited to places where its growth can be contained rather than small beds containing delicate plants. Plant Toolbox
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds, division and root cuttings. Seeds can be sown in spring, while large clumps can be divided in spring or autumn.
Root cuttings are another reliable method and are usually taken during the dormant season; even small root sections can grow readily.
Photographed at: Tokyo, Japan
