Bear’s breeches

Bear’s breeches: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Broad clump of basal leaves, 60–90 cm wide; 1–1.5 m tall in flower.

Leaves

Large, deeply cut and glossy dark green, hardly spiny. In mild winters they partly persist.

Flower

Upright spikes of white to pale pink lipped flowers, each beneath a purple, spiny bract, from June to August.

Fruit

Seed capsules that burst open when ripe and fling out the seeds.

Roots

Thick, fleshy and deep; every piece of root can grow into a new plant.

Flowering: June–August · Plants: April–May and September · Pruning: March and September

Why grow it?

• Large, glossy leaves that add an exotic, architectural touch from spring to autumn.
• Tall, striking flower spikes in June–August that stay decorative long after flowering.
• Bumblebees and bees push between the lip and the bract to reach the nectar.
• Tolerates drought, lime and poor soil once it is well rooted.
• Grows in sun and in partial shade, for example against a wall or at the edge of trees.
• An established clump stays put for many years and needs little care.

Bear’s breeches: where does it grow best?

• Sun or partial shade: it flowers best in sun, while the leaves stay fresher in partial shade.
• Any well-drained soil: sand, loam or clay, from acid to chalky.
• Dry to normally moist; it dislikes wet soil in winter.
• A warm, sheltered spot, for example in front of a south-facing wall, helps young plants through winter.
• Allow 90 cm–1 m per plant and choose the spot for good: it is hard to get rid of.

Light

Sun and partial shade

Soil type

Sand, loam or clay

Acidity

Not fussy

Moisture

Dry or normal

Size

1.2 m tall, 0.9 m wide

Hardiness

Hardy (to -15 °C)

Goes well with

• Spurge: Grey-green leaves and yellow flower heads, also happy in a dry, sunny spot.
• Catmint: A soft blue edging in front of the large, dark leaves.
• Giant feather grass: Light, swaying stems as a contrast to the heavy foliage.
• Globe thistle: Blue globes in the same sunny, dry spot, also loved by bees.

Bear’s breeches: when and how to plant it?

Plant in April–May and September.

1. Plant in April–May or in September, so the roots can establish before summer or winter.
2. Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot and loosen the bottom; on heavy clay, mix some coarse sand or gravel into the soil.
3. Set the plant at the same depth as it was in the pot and firm the soil well.
4. Keep 90 cm–1 m between it and other plants.
5. Water in thoroughly straight away, and again in dry spells during the first weeks.
6. Cover the base with a layer of leaves or straw for the first few winters.

Care

Water

Rarely needed once established. In long dry spells the leaves may droop; a good soaking helps.

Feeding

A spadeful of compost around the base in March–April. More is not needed.

Mulching

A layer of leaves or straw protects young plants from frost in winter.

Old leaves

Remove withered and frosted leaves in March; new leaves follow quickly.

Root suckers

Dig out shoots that appear outside the intended spot right away, with as much root as possible.

Tip: Choose the right spot from the start: when you move it, pieces of root always stay behind and sprout again, so you end up with two plants.

Bear’s breeches: when to prune it?

Pruning months: March and September.

When: After flowering, in September, cut off the spent spikes. In March, remove the old, withered leaves.

How:

• Cut the spent spikes off at the base, or leave them for winter structure and cut them in March instead.
• In March, remove dead and frost-damaged leaves down to the ground.
• Leaves that become tatty in summer from drought or mildew can be cut off; fresh leaves will follow.

Caution: Wear sturdy gloves: the bracts on the flower spikes are spiny.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Root cuttings

From December to February: cut pieces of root 5–8 cm long, insert them upright in a pot of gritty cutting compost, thick end up, and keep them cool and barely moist. They sprout in spring.

Division

In April or September, slice a rooted piece off the edge of the clump with a sharp spade and replant it at once.

Seed

Sow ripe seed in a pot in spring. Seedlings take a few years to flower.

Bear’s breeches: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to −15 °C: protect young plants.

• Hardy to about −15 °C: it comes through most Belgian winters without trouble, especially in dry, free-draining soil.
• In hard frost the leaves die back, but the roots sprout again in spring.
• Cover young plants with a thick layer of leaves, straw or wood chips for the first few winters.
• Wet feet in winter are more dangerous than frost: do not plant it where water lies.

Diseases and pests

• Slugs: They eat holes in the young leaves in spring. Pick them off in the evening and keep the base open and tidy.
• Powdery mildew: White powder on the leaves, especially in dry summers. Cut off affected leaves and water during drought.
• Spreading: The roots spread and every piece regrows. Dig out suckers in good time, with as much root as possible.
• No flowers: Too much shade or a plant that is too young. Give it more sun and some patience: it usually flowers well after two or three years.

Through the year

• January: Take root cuttings from an established plant.
• March: Cut away old and frosted leaves. Give compost around the base.
• April: Plant or divide. Watch for slugs on the young leaves.
• May: Plant. New leaves unfold in earnest.
• June: Flowering begins.
• July: Full bloom. Water during long dry spells.
• August: Flowering. Bumblebees visit the flowers.
• September: Cut off spent spikes or leave them standing. Plant or divide.
• November: Cover young plants with leaves or straw.
• December: Take root cuttings.

Good for wildlife

Bees

Nectar and pollen for honeybees and wild bees.

Did you know?

• The acanthus leaf has been a favourite motif since ancient Greece: you can see it on the capitals of Corinthian columns.
• The name comes from the Greek akantha, meaning thorn.
• In dry weather, the ripe seed capsules burst open and fling the seeds some distance.