Spiny Bear’s Breeches
Acanthus spinosus
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
| Under $50 | $9.99 |
| $50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
| $100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
| $150 - $198.99 | $24.99 |
| $199+ | FREE |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
| 4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
| 4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
| 6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
| 1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
| 5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
| #1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
| 5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
| #3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
| #6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
| #7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Plant Profile & Growing Essentials
Cold hardy, Flowering, Deer-resistant, Heat Tolerant, Drought resistant, Low Maintenance, Container Friendly, Attracts pollinators, and Fragrant
-
Botanical Name
-
Height
-
Width
-
Growing Zones
-
Sunlight
-
Growth RateSlow
-
Flower Color
-
Leaf Color
-
Pollinator FriendlyYes
-
Bloom PeriodLate Spring, Early Summer
-
Does Not Ship ToAK, HI, ID, MT, OR
Bring the timeless beauty of ancient Greek architecture to your garden with the Spiny Bear’s Breeches, botanically known as Acanthus spinosus. Famous for being the inspiration behind the ornate carvings on Corinthian column capitals, this perennial is a true "designer plant." It offers a rare combination of structural drama and rugged reliability that makes it a must-have for the back of the border or as a standalone focal point.
Dramatic Architectural Foliage
The true star of the show is the foliage. Acanthus spinosus (also known as Spiny Acanthus) produces a mounded base of large, deeply lobed leaves that can reach up to 24 inches long. These leaves are a glossy, dark green and feature a sharp, thistle-like spine at each tip, giving the plant a fierce yet sophisticated texture. The leathery leaves remain upright and lush throughout the heat of summer, providing a consistent green backdrop for other flowering perennials.
Striking Summer Blooms
In early summer, the plant transforms as tall, sturdy flower spikes rise 3 to 4 feet above the foliage. These spikes are adorned with hooded, trumpet-shaped flowers in a sophisticated color palette of crisp white and mauve-purple. The bi-color effect is mesmerizing, and the spikes make excellent additions to cut flower arrangements, adding height and an "Old World" feel to any vase.
Versatile Landscape Specimen
In the landscape, Spiny Bear’s Breeches is a high-impact choice for cottage gardens, formal borders, or "wilder" naturalized areas where its spiny leaves discourage deer. While it is a slow grower, it is exceptionally long-lived. Because it can be aggressive in loose, sandy soils, it is best utilized in heavier soils where its spread can be naturally contained. Whether used to anchor a corner or to line a fence, this plant commands attention with its bold silhouette and historic charm.
