• Image of Acanthus caroli-alexandri|Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC|JLBG

    Photo by JLBG taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC

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Acanthus caroli-alexandri

Caroli-alexandri Bear's Breech

This plant is not currently for sale. This is an archive page preserved for informational use.

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Item #: 5055

Zones: 6a to 7b, guessing

Dormancy: Winter

Height: 18" tall

Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade

Origin: Southeast Europe

Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


This charming little bear's breech suffers from a major identity crisis. Some "experts" consider Acanthus caroli-alexandri a form of Acanthus hungaricus, while others propose a possible hybrid between Acanthus spinosus and Acanthus hirsutus. Don't you just love those taxonomists? Regardless of its identity, Acanthus caroli-alexandri is unique among acanthus with its finely cut, black-green, deer-resistant foliage, making a small 18" tall x 2' wide rosette. In late spring, the clumps are topped with compact 3' tall spikes with the typical hooded, spiny, white-and-purple flowers...outstanding for texture and structure in the small garden.