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Herbaceous Perennial

Acanthus 'Whitewater' (v)

bear's breech 'Whitewater'

An herbaceous perennial, to 1.5m high, with large, deeply cut, variegated dark-green leaves covered with white splashes. In summer, erect flower stems bear white, funnel-shaped flowers with hood-like purple bracts

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or East–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Drought resistance

Yes

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Acanthaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Acanthus are robust herbaceous perennials with handsome, lobed foliage and tall, erect racemes of two-lipped flowers with colourful bracts
Name status: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

The ideal soil is a deep, fertile, well-drained loam but it will grow in most soils and has good drought tolerance. . The flowers can be used in fresh and dried arrangements

Propagation

Propagate by division or by root cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Cottage and informal garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Low Maintenance
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut down old flower stems

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to Powdery mildews

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