Acanthus mollis |
Native Region: Italy to Western Turkey
Zone Range: 07-10
Preferred Climate: Mediterranean
Harvest Date: Tuesday 31 October, 2006
Seed count: 5-7
Description:
A clump-forming perennial with semi-evergreen bold, deeply-lobed dark green leaves up to 3 feet long. In late summer, bears white flowers with purple-shaded bracts in 3 foot long racemes, often with purple-tinged stems. Grows to 5 feet high by 3 feet wide. Best grown in a large border. Flowers are good for cutting and drying.
Cultivation:
For maximum freshness, please keep seed refrigerated in its original packaging until it is time to plant. Sow in spring into pots using standard soil-less seed compost, either peat or peat substitute. Cover with perlite or vermiculite, place under protection at 18 degrees Celsius. Germination takes 10-20 days. Protect young plants for the first winter. Flowers in its second or third year. Grow in any soil in sun or part shade. Prefers a sunny situation and thrives in deep, fertile and moist but well-drained loam.
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