Which loves warmth and lives in the Mediterranean, Africa and Asia. Since ancient times, he was highly revered in Greece and Ancient Rome. The plant inspired respect among the residents with its beauty, love of life and majesty.

general description

This garden plant is also called "bear paw". This is due to the fact that acanthus leaves are very similar to a bear's paw print.

It may also be called holly, rock thistle, and claw. All types are strong and hardy. The foliage is very diverse, as it can be smooth or with thorns without needles, it can be pinnately dissected and cut into unequal parts. The flowers are collected in spike-shaped inflorescences. They come in white, purple and lilac. The petals reach a size of 5 cm. And the height of the plant itself can be from 40 cm to 2 m, while the roots are very powerful.

Did you know? In ancient times, this flower was a symbol of masculinity and victory over difficulties. The plant was believed to grow on the graves of heroic warriors. However, in Christian symbolism, acanthus leaves are associated with the suffering and rebellion of the sinner.

Varieties of acanthus

Today, more than 30 species of this ornamental plant are known. The most popular ones:

• . Grows in mangrove thickets. The foliage is dark green in color, satiny smooth, 8-10 cm wide and 20-30 cm long. The leaves have a pinnately dissected shape. Flowers of white-lilac shades with large cylindrical inflorescences. Distributed on the coasts of the Pacific and Indian oceans. Well suited for growing both in pots and greenhouses. The roots are aerial and spread in different directions, giving the plant a special charm.
  
• . This species is native to West Africa. It is an evergreen shrub characterized by many aerial roots. The leaves are pinnately shaped, olive green in color, and can reach a length of 30 cm, with wavy and slightly spiky edges. White-purple flowers form inflorescences up to 25 cm in length. The diameter of one flower is about 5 cm. Mountain acanthus is an ornamental plant that takes root well in potted conditions.
  
• - this is the most popular perennial in and. It received its name for its leaves and bracts, on which there are prickly needles. The flowers are very beautiful, formed in two shades: the upper lobes are lilac in color, and the lower lobes are white. The height of acanthus acute can reach 150 cm. This species blooms from July to September.
  
• In its homeland, in the Mediterranean, the plant can grow up to 190 cm, in our area it is slightly lower - about 75 cm. Its stems are straight, and the foliage is very massive, about 30-60 cm long, up to 15 cm wide. The bracts are dark -pink or purple. Soft acanthus also has varieties that differ in the size of the foliage and the presence of thorns on it.
  
• It is very similar to acanthus obtuse, the differences are only in the deep cuts in the basal foliage of the Balkan acanthus, the bases of which are noticeably narrowed. This species is the most resistant to cold.
  
• . The species was found quite recently on the slope of Mount Adis, near Yerevan. The species is rare and extremely beautiful. The inflorescences are long, the buds are purple in color.
  

Conditions for growing bear claws

To grow such a plant in your summer cottage, you should carefully study the conditions that it needs for good development.

Climatic conditions

Acanthus is a heat-loving plant. In summer, the optimal temperature range for it is - 18-25 °C, in winter - 16-18 °C.
In this regard, summer residents grow some types of “bear paw” in containers, taking them out into the garden in the summer and taking them indoors for the winter.

It also requires good lighting, so the area where this plant grows must be open to sunlight.

Soil type

Acanthus is not a particularly capricious plant, still needs a suitable one. It is advisable to plant it in fertile soil, light, neutral or slightly alkaline.
It is also very important to provide the plant with good conditions so that moisture and air can easily reach it.

Did you know? Animals that feed on grass practically do not touch acanthus, since they do not find its prickly, tough foliage attractive.

To grow beautiful and powerful, you must adhere to the basic rules of agricultural technology. Before planting, seeds need to be scarified and soaked for 2-3 days in warm water.

At the same time, the water needs to be changed every 6-8 hours so that it does not heat up even more. After 10 days, the seeds, which should be kept in a dark room all this time, will have time to germinate and can be planted in. It's better to do this in March.
The substrate for planting is prepared from sand and. It is important to maintain a distance between plants of at least 70-80 cm, since acanthus grows very quickly and powerfully.

Plant care

In order for an acanthus flower to decorate a summer cottage with its decorative properties, it needs to be provided with proper care.

Watering

Abundant should be observed from spring to autumn. In this case, waterlogging should not be allowed, as this may cause the root system of the plant to begin to rot, and it may also develop.
In winter, moisture can be reduced, but you need to make sure that the root layer does not dry out.

Important! Additionally, you can spray acanthus from a spray bottle from time to time. This should be done extremely carefully so that water does not get on the inflorescences. You can spray 2 times a day in summer, and 1 time a day in winter.

Fertilizer

It is recommended to apply from March to September. It will be enough to carry out this procedure once every two weeks. Fertilizers need to be selected that contain organic compounds.
You can purchase a liquid three-component product at a specialty store that is used for flowering plants.

Trimming

It is necessary to monitor the development of the plant and, as necessary, remove inflorescences that have already faded, as well as rotten and dried parts of the acanthus.

In culture, these perennial plants occupy a worthy place among the decorative leafy representatives of the flora. Large leaf blades, reaching 100 cm in length, form an impressive rosette. The pinnately divided or dissected leaves are dark green. Even in ancient times, Acanthus inspired architects, artists, and jewelers. Stylized images of leaves were intricately woven into the ornaments of vessels and lamps, adorning capitals and even the crown of the English monarch Edward III, who unleashed the Hundred Years' War.

Acanthus flowers are not inferior in decorativeness to leaves. In summer, white, pink, and purple flowers with spiny bracts appear on a long erect peduncle.

Acanthus is grown in containers and in open ground. It grows beautifully as a tapeworm and in group plantings. Gets along well with Geranium, Allium, Cuff. The plant is suitable for cutting and creating dry bouquets.

Growing

The life expectancy of Acanthus, if care recommendations are followed, is over 10 years. Growing does not present any particular difficulties. A native of warm regions, he has adapted well to harsher climatic conditions. Nevertheless, in particularly cold or snowless winters, it is advisable to cover the planting with spruce branches.

Acanthus really does not like transplants. When choosing a location for outdoor growing, you should be careful. If potted, replace replanting with transshipment.

Because of this feature, propagation by dividing the bush does not always end successfully. It is much easier to use apical cuttings. In spring, segments 10–15 cm long, preferably with two internodes, should be placed in a peat-sand substrate. They must be covered with film and kept at a temperature of +25–30°C. The planting must be ventilated periodically. After rooting, the cuttings are planted in a prepared container or in open ground.

Diseases and pests

Powdery mildew, spider mites, aphids, scale insects.

Reproduction

Seeds, cuttings, dividing the bush.

First steps after purchase

When purchasing Acanthus seeds, you need to make sure that the expiration date of the planting material has not expired. The best results when trying to grow are obtained by the seedling method.

In March, the seeds are ground with coarse sand, cut or filed - scarification is carried out. Then soak in warm water, the liquid is changed periodically for three days.

Seeds prepared for planting are placed in a container filled with light, nutritious soil. Cover with glass or polyethylene and transfer to a dark place. Sprouts usually appear after 10–12 days.

It should be borne in mind that in the first two years of life, Acanthus expands its rosette. The plant blooms starting from the age of three.

Secrets of success

Acanthus develops well in bright, diffused light. Direct sunlight is harmful to both the decorative effect and the health of the plant.

Acanthus is thermophilic. In summer it prefers air temperatures within +22–25°C, in winter - not lower than +16°C.

The plant needs fresh air, especially during the summer months. If it is not possible to take the container to the balcony, you should regularly ventilate the room, avoiding drafts.

Acanthus needs watering. From spring to autumn, the plant is abundantly moistened immediately after the top layer of soil has dried. In the autumn-winter period, watering is reduced, but does not stop. Overdrying the earthen coma leads to death.

During active growth, Acanthus is fed 1–2 times a month with organic or mineral fertilizers during watering.

The plant responds gratefully to spraying. The procedure must be carried out carefully so that drops of water do not fall on the flowers.

Dried or damaged leaves should be removed, as should faded flowers. At the end of flowering, the peduncle is carefully trimmed.

Possible difficulties

White coating on leaf blades is a symptom of powdery mildew disease. The risk of pest attack cannot be ruled out. The relevant sections of the site provide methods of control and the most effective drugs.

If Acanthus leaves wither, then most likely the watering rules have been violated. Planting the plant in heavy soil leads to the same result.

Drying of the edges of leaf plates is a consequence of lack of nutrition or excessive dry air.

Blackening and falling leaves are caused by drafts or overcooling of the root system.

After transplanting or dividing the bush, Acanthus takes a long time to recover and refuses to flower.

Acanthus
- a name that says little to a Russian person far from gardening or architecture, although most of us have probably seen its image. Just like the Corinthian capital, it is known even to those to whom this architectural term means nothing. Someone saw an image of this architectural ornament in a picture in a history textbook,

Someone more involved in art sketched it during drawing classes,

and most are on the columns of buildings built during Stalin's times. I, too, was fascinated by the decorative plasticity of these leaves, but somehow I didn’t think that the image was based on a very real plant. Here is the legend told by Vitruvius about the origin of the Corinthian capital: “A certain girl, a citizen of Corinth, who had already reached marriageable age, fell ill and died. After the funeral, her nurse, having collected several things that this girl had treasured during her life like the apple of her eye, put them in a basket, carried them to the tomb and placed them on the grave; and so that they could be preserved longer in the open air, she covered them with tiles. This basket was accidentally placed on an acanthus root. Meanwhile, with the onset of spring, the acanthus root, crushed by weight, sent out leaves and stems from its center, which, growing on the sides of the basket and pressed by gravity by the corners of the tiles, were forced to bend in the form of the ends of volutes. At this time, Callimachus, whom the Athenians called “katatekhnos” for the grace and sophistication of his marble works, passing by the tomb, drew attention to this basket and the tenderness of the young leaves overgrown with it. Admired by the novelty of the look and form, he made several columns for the Corinthians according to this model, determined their proportionality and from that time established rules for the buildings of the Corinthian order” (Vitruvius, book 4, chapter 1)

So, let's turn to the dictionaries: Acanthus (lat. Acanthus from the Greek ακανθος) is a genus of plants of the Acanthaceae family, growing in the tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World, with the highest species density in the Mediterranean and Asia.
Acanthus are perennial herbaceous plants, less often subshrubs, from 40 cm to 2 m high, with spiny leaves. The flowers are white or purple, collected in a raceme.

This Mediterranean plant does not have a Russian name as such, but in the horticultural literature of the 19th century you can find it under the name “bear's paw”, which is a literal translation from pharmaceutical Latin - Branca ursina.

Under this name in the Middle Ages and later the leaves and roots of a. soft as an enveloping and softening agent were used for diarrhea, cough, burns. Sometimes you come across the “bear claws” and “holly” variants.

Acanthus grows on the graves of heroes - the ancient Greeks believed. They saw in it a sign of triumph and overcoming the trials of life - thorns and thorns. This is how the ornamental motif appeared on Corinthian capitals. The word "acanthus" refers to a sculptural or relief decoration in the form of a stylized plant - acanthus. Acanthus spinosus, with narrow, sharp lobes that produce sharp shadows, was favored in images in ancient Greece.

Wide, blunt, somewhat concave leaves of soft acanthus (acanthus mollis), which produces rich chiaroscuro, were often used in the buildings of Dr. Rome. They made it an element of the magnificent capital of the Corinthian order. Such a capital was especially decorative; it was used later, in the architecture of the Italian Renaissance and Baroque style.

In the Mediterranean, acanthus was seen as Life, immortality, the horn of the waxing moon, and the veneration of the fine arts. And the shape of acanthus is unusually plastic and dynamic. All this ensured her long life in art. In medieval art, the image of acanthus leaves was associated with thistles and crowns of thorns, reminiscent of the suffering of Christ. Therefore, such a motif was at the same time a symbol of life, dynamics, growth and awareness of sin, pain, and compassion for one’s neighbor.

It is precisely this meaning, parallel to the written text, that the acanthus motif acquired in medieval book miniatures.

Hence acanthus is a symbol of Eternal life and immortality of the soul. Such symbolism was strengthened by the ancient belief that the acanthus leaf is the horn of the growing moon. Therefore, we see the characteristic shape of the acanthus leaf in the crown, sword hilt, and heraldry.

Acanthus (Acanthus), or as it is also called, bear's paw, is a large perennial plant with glossy green leaves and tall peaks of flowers. This plant is a favorite of designers and architects; its leaves are often used as a motif on various panels, moldings, and even in jewelry. In fact, many gardeners grow them for their foliage only, although the flowers are also very pleasing in their own right.

Acanthus means "bract" and the botanical name comes from the spiny species of purple bracts. Although there are about 30 species of acanthus, only two are grown as garden plants. Despite their beauty, they can be unstable - blooming brightly one year, and completely disappointing the next.

Description

The plant has wide lobes of arched, shiny dark green leaves. It blooms with white inflorescences on high stalks, hidden in hoods of purple bracts.

Botanical name: Acanthus mollis.

Other names: bear paw, oyster plant.

Lighting requirements

Plants do best in full sun rather than partial shade. No matter where you grow them, they need at least a few hours of sun each day to bloom well.

Dimensions

All acanthuses are very tall and spreading plants. Mature plants can reach any height.

Flowering period

Expect acanthus flowers to appear in late spring to mid-summer and bloom for 3-4 weeks. The flowering period depends both on the climatic zone and on the vagaries of the weather.

Growing Tips

Acanthus loves rich soil with plenty of compost or other organic fertilizer. Once grown, they become more tolerant of poor soil, but they do need good drainage, especially in winter. Cold, wet soil can kill plants. Acanthus are not particularly sensitive to soil pH, preferring something in the neutral range (6.5-7.5).

Growing from seeds: If you find acanthus seeds, the best time to plant them is spring. You can sow the seeds indoors or directly outside, but in this case you will have to wait several years before the plant blooms.

Division and transplantation: Acanthus have long, tangled roots, and it is not advisable to replant them. If you want to divide your plants, the best way to do this is to stick a shovel between the plants in the fall. Next spring you should see a few small shoots that can be easily replanted.

Cuttings: you can also propagate your plants by transplanting cuttings in spring or fall.

Care Tips

Watering: Once grown, acanthus is very drought tolerant, but the plant does best with regular watering as the soil dries out.

Fertilizer: Acanthus are not at all difficult to feed. Plant them initially in fertilized soil, and then you can use a balanced fertilizer if the plants look lethargic and weak.

Care: During the first couple of winters, your plants should be protected with a thick layer of mulch. Acanthus can spread aggressively, displacing other plants. To keep them under control, many gardeners use plant dividers sunk into the soil. In hot climates, plants can be pruned after flowering. This will encourage new, fresh foliage to grow. Gardeners living in cold climates should support plants vertically, allowing the leaves to protect the canopy. Wait to prune damaged leaves in the spring until you see new growth.

Pests and problems

Insects don't usually bother acanthus plants, but powdery mildew can be a problem for their gorgeous leaves. Good air circulation and a dose of fungicide will help combat this. The plant can be harmed by slugs and snails that eat the foliage if the soil is too wet.

Design Tips

Acanthus are plants with broad foliage, requiring at least 100-150 cm of space each. Because of their size, they pair well with spreading plants such as gaura or ornamental grasses. To be honest, Acanthus are so impressive that you can easily miss another plant next to them. So they can be used very effectively in garden design on their own, without making any combinations.

Acanthus- cute ornamental plants that look attractive alone without an accompanying person, in which case the structure of their large pointed leaves, reminiscent of holly leaves, is better visible.

This ornamental plant is very popular due to its unusual leaf shape and tall inflorescences. It was already widespread in Ancient Greece; the Greeks used its form as the basis of architectural solutions, for example, on the tops of columns. The genus name Acanthus comes from the Greek akantha, meaning “thorn.”

Appearance

Large, dark green leaves are cut into long segments. Acanthus spiny has real spines. Acanthus soft is a plant with wider and less carved leaves. Depending on the type, acanthus reaches 60-90 cm in height.

Flowers and bloom

Spectacular flowers appear on tall peduncles in the form of spike-shaped inflorescences. Plants bloom from mid to late summer. The flowers of the plant are framed by bracts. If you remove spent flowers, the plant will bloom again.

Division

Acanthus bushes can be divided in winter. Remove the bush from the pot and carefully divide it into two parts. Each of the two parts is again divided into two parts. Using a knife, cut off the middle old part of the plant, and divide the remaining fragments of the rhizome. Small fragments will bloom late. Plant them in separate flower pots.

Exposition

Acanthus is a spectacular and beautiful plant that looks better in a separate pot, but it can be part of a composition of decorative foliage and flowering plants. Protect the plant from strong winds.

Reproduction. Seed propagation

Acanthus Can be propagated by seeds, division and root cuttings. Sow seeds in boxes to a depth of 3-5 mm. Sow them in the spring in March and place them in an unheated greenhouse. When sprouts appear, transplant them into separate pots.

Propagation by root cuttings

In the spring, separate a fragment of the thick, fleshy rhizome - it is better to cut the rhizome into pieces about 5-8 cm long. Cut the lower end of each fragment diagonally to make it easier to recognize which end is which. Fill a large pot with soil mixture (a mixture of peat and coarse sand) and make indentations at a distance of about 5-8 cm.

Plant one cutting in each hole so that the end with a horizontal cut is on top at ground level. Cover the plant with a thin layer of soil. When 3-4 pairs of leaves appear on young acanthuses, transplant them outside.

Care

Acanthus are unpretentious, very ornamental plants. Suitable soil is permeable clay soil with the addition of sand or perlite. Acanthus does not tolerate transplantation well. Plant two or three of these plants at once in one large pot with a diameter of 45 cm and replant the acanthus only if absolutely necessary.

Selecting a location

Acanthus loves bright and sunny places, but tolerates light shading well. It is necessary to protect the plant from frost, especially young plants. In the fall, cut the shoots just above the ground, insulate them with straw, and cover them with wire mesh or boards. Lay plastic wrap on top to prevent the straw from getting wet.

Watering and fertilizing

In summer, provide moderate watering, the soil should dry out slightly before the next watering. In winter, acanthus is in a dormant stage; economical watering is needed (if it overwinters in the house). From May to September, feed acanthus with universal complex fertilizers once every 2 weeks.

Varieties

There is a widely known species of soft acanthus (Acanthus mollis) with white and purple flowers collected in spike-shaped inflorescences about 45 cm high. Its flowers bloom from July to August, and attractive varieties of this plant are known. Acanthus spinosus is distinguished by pointed dark green leaves and inflorescences 45 cm high. Hungarian acanthus (Acanthus hungaricus) blooms from June.

Purchase

Acanthus seedlings or seeds can be found on sale in spring and summer. Choose seedlings with healthy, undamaged leaves. With good care, acanthus will grow in the house for many years, but the plant feels better in a flowerbed rather than in a pot. Acanthus seeds are inexpensive.

Possible problems

Frost protection

To protect this plant from frost, in the fall, cut off its stems at the very surface of the ground, place the cut stems on the surface of the soil and cover them on top with a thick layer of fallen leaves.

Brown edges of leaves

The reason brown spots appear on the edges of plant leaves is sunburn. To avoid this, protect the plant from bright sunlight during the midday hours.

Powdery mildew

To protect this plant from powdery mildew, there are several steps you can take. To prevent the stems and leaves from becoming covered with a white powdery coating, water the plant during drought. In case of damage, use a fungicide.

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