Plants in genus acanthus
Acanthus sennii
Acanthus sennii is a perennial endemic to the highlands of Ethiopia, known for its black stems and glossy green leaves. It blooms with bright scarlet orange flowers in early October and has traditional medicinal uses.
Acanthus hungaricus
Acanthus hungaricus, native to the Balkan Peninsula, is a striking perennial with a tropical appearance. It features large, dark green, deeply lobed leaves and produces dramatic spikes of purple and white flowers in late summer. These floral spikes can reach up to 5 to 6 feet tall, creating a bold display. The plant is drought-tolerant and may go dormant during dry spells, requiring minimal maintenance. It thrives in part sun to bright shade and is deer-resistant, making it a resilient choice for gardens. Its handsome foliage and unique floral structure make it a standout in any landscape.
Acanthus mollis 'Rue Ledan'
Acanthus mollis 'Rue Ledan' is a striking plant with cutleaf, shiny, dark green foliage forming a large clump. It is topped with 3-foot tall spikes of pure white flowers in June. This deer-resistant plant is drought-tolerant but may go dormant in summer, preferring part day sun to bright shade.
Acanthus 'Holland Days'
Acanthus 'Holland Days' is a hybrid plant with deeply incised, black-green leaves and 2-foot tall spikes of white flowers with spiny purple hoods. It is deer-resistant and thrives in sunny, slightly acidic to alkaline conditions. This plant is drought-tolerant but prefers moisture in summer.
Acanthus mollis 'Wofford Rhubarb'
Acanthus mollis 'Wofford Rhubarb' is a drought-tolerant plant introduced by Plant Delights/JLBG in 2017, known for its cinnamon red, rhubarb-like stems. It forms a 2-foot tall by 3-foot wide clump of scalloped, glossy green leaves. This plant prefers part day sun to very bright shade and can produce flower spikes up to 5 to 6 feet tall. Its bold foliage and bright red leaf stalks make it a striking addition to any garden.
Acanthus 'Morning Candle'
Acanthus 'Morning Candle' is a hybrid plant with deeply-scalloped green leaves and purple and white hooded flowers. It forms a 3-foot wide clump and is compact and deer-resistant. This plant performs well in high temperatures and is drought tolerant.
Acanthus mollis ssp. mollis
Acanthus mollis ssp. mollis is a hybrid plant suitable for light shade gardens, known for its deeply serrated, spiny black-green leaves. It produces dramatic flower stalks with purple and white blooms in late summer. This low-maintenance plant is drought-tolerant and can grow into late fall or winter in mild climates.
Acanthus hungaricus 'White Lips'
Acanthus hungaricus 'White Lips' is a striking perennial native to the Balkans, known for its dark green rosette of leaves and tall, spiny flower spikes. The flowers feature purple hoods with distinctive white lips, adding a unique touch to gardens. It thrives in dry, rocky environments but performs best in rich, well-drained soil. This plant is drought-tolerant and can attract insects, making it a valuable addition to a wildlife-friendly garden. Its ability to grow in part sun to light shade makes it versatile for various garden settings.
Acanthus mollis 'Tasmanian Angel'
Acanthus mollis 'Tasmanian Angel' is an evergreen perennial with bold-textured, dark green leaves that have an irregular border changing from creamy gold to white. It forms 3-foot wide clumps and produces 5-foot tall spikes of true pink flowers. This plant requires some sun and rich, moist soil, making it a striking choice for gardens.
Acanthus caroli-alexandri
Acanthus caroli-alexandri is a compact perennial with finely cut, glossy black-green foliage that is deer-resistant. It forms a small rosette about 18 inches tall and 2 feet wide, with flower spikes reaching 3 feet tall. The spikes bear hooded, spiny white-and-purple flowers in late spring. This plant is drought-tolerant but may go dormant during summer droughts.
Acanthus 'Summer Beauty'
Acanthus 'Summer Beauty' is a hybrid plant with giant, glossy dark green foliage and tall spikes of white flowers with purple calyces. It forms a 4-6 foot wide clump and is both deer-resistant and drought-tolerant. This bold plant thrives in part sun to bright shade, adding a lush, tropical look to gardens.
Acanthus mollis 'Reut Israel'
Acanthus mollis 'Reut Israel' is a bold plant with broad, glossy-green leaves and 4-foot tall spikes of spiny purple and white flowers. It is drought-tolerant and thrives in part day sun to very bright shade, adding a lush and dramatic presence to garden spaces.