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Bear's Breeches
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Posted by
mollydog 6 PA (
My Page) on
Thu, Mar 22, 12 at 19:08
| I have an area where I plan on planting Bear's Breeches. I know how difficult it is to get rid this plant, but the area where I plan on placing it, it will have room to roam. I was hoping to also plant Ogon Spirea there. I have amended the soil where the initial plants will go. This area has a small-medium maple which at some point will be a big maple, but the area will continue to receive some sun for many years...when it won't I'll be too old to care. The area is irrigated, but not very well. I can reach this area with a hose when necessary.
Finally the questions. Will the Bear's Breeches overtake the spirea? How fast does BB spread if watered regularly? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Bear's Breeches
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| Bears Breech, Acanthus sp. is not an invasive/agressive plant and it will never "overtake" a shrub like Spirea 'Ogon' (or anything else, for that matter). Acanthus does spread very, very slowly, but you'll want it to. Just give both plants adequate room to start with. |
RE: Bear's Breeches
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| Here in California Acanthus mollis is certainly considered invasive. I took over a garden in a commercial area that had been planted in Acanthus, this was 10 years ago, and still every year a few Acanthus appear. Twenty years ago I had a location I thought would be appropriate for Acanthus and asked my favorite local nursery to order me a few plants. She not only refused, I got a lecture on invasive plants. Al |
RE: Bear's Breeches
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| I knew they were invasive in California based upon the research I had done, but I couldn't find too much for Pennsylvania. |
RE: Bear's Breeches
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| Here in the PNW, acanthus, all species, are rather aggressive spreaders as well. I would not term it 'invasive' but it does tend to take over some territory if sited to its liking. And it's harder than heck to remove - nasty, deep roots and an ability to resprout from the smallest chunk. Plus it can self-seed easily. |
RE: Bear's Breeches
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| here in southern ohio it gets to a nice clump.. but not invasive by any means. I did try and move a small clump last fall and now there are about 10 sprouts in the original site. |
RE: Bear's Breeches
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| So it sounds as though I am good as long as I don't move them around...too much :o) |
RE: Bear's Breeches
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| How much shade can they take? |
RE: Bear's Breeches
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| unless you are keen on the flowers (ahem), go for a golden leaved variety such as Holland's Gold. Do NOT getA.spinossima or A.spinossissima - vicious spiny nastiness (and thugs). |
RE: Bear's Breeches
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| Thanks campanula. I will look into Holland's Gold. I did get some Tasmanian Angel. |
RE: Bear's Breeches
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Actually the majority of Acanthus species and varieties are described as clump-forming, so I think the term 'invasive' does not apply here . Self-seeding is the gardener's fault, not the plant's . All plants bloom with one and only purpose: to set seeds(unless sterile, but the plants do not know it).
A size of the clumps is another matter. If well grown the plants can be BIG. Check for winter hardiness in your zone. A.mollis is subject to mildew. Some clones are more resistant. |
RE: Bear's Breeches
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| The area where I am planting has lots of room and I am hoping the clumps will fill in quickly. This area is at the back of the yard and the BB along with Ogon Spirea will be the focus of that of that area. There are ostrich ferns in that area as well. I have amended the soil with compost hoping the plants will be happy and reward me with lots of growth. I know Tasmanian Angel does need some sun to flower, but what about Acanthus mollis? |
RE: Bear's Breeches
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| Dear all, I'm in Indiana (Warm half of zone 5)and have acanthus spinosus which I got from my sister over 10 years ago. More like 15. It has NEVER bloomed! My sister's is in
a warmer spot than mine but also zone 5. She dances with
it moving it around but still having it--about 5 places now. Hers blooms most years and sometimes blooms extrava-gantly. What should I do to get bloom--threaten it! Move
it. It's a pretty green plant which contrasts well with
daylillies, helianthus, adenophora, lamb's ears etc. which
are all around. Unfortunately I've been to Salem, Oregon where a daughter
lives and seen what it can look like and my sister saw it
going wild in the Greek Isles. Please, I'd like about half
a dozen stalks in my own yard. grandma Chris |
RE: Bear's Breeches
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| These plants are often listed as only hardy to zone 6, but I found one locally (don't recall name offhand) that was reputedly hardier. It is about 6 years old now, and is starting to send off multiple babies around it, in my 5b garden. I like it a lot, but it is proving to be invasive. Nice plant though, very impressive. |
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