Acanthus consists of sturdy herbaceous perennials characterized by their lobed leaves and upright flower spikes featuring two-lipped blooms accompanied by vibrant bracts.

Acanthus

Acanthus 'Ben Hope'

Acanthus 'Candelabra'

Acanthus 'Colin's Folly'

Acanthus 'Hollande du Nort' is a clump-forming perennial that reaches heights of up to 1.2 meters when in bloom. It features long, deeply lobed, glossy dark green leaves that grow from the base. From early to late summer, it produces tall spikes adorned with purple-hooded flowers that initially open white and gradually transition to a pale pink hue as they develop.

Acanthus 'Hollande du Nort'

Acanthus 'Morning's Candle' is a herbaceous perennial that can reach heights of up to 1.2 meters. It features a mound of dark green foliage with deeply-toothed leaves that can spread to about 1 meter in width. During the summer, tall spikes emerge from the leaves, showcasing hooded white flowers that are safeguarded by prickly purple bracts.

Acanthus 'Morning's Candle'

Acanthus 'Ruth's Gold'

Acanthus 'Snow Storm'

Acanthus 'Summer Beauty' is a hardy, clump-forming perennial that features deeply lobed, glossy green leaves, creating a mound that reaches up to 75 cm in height. In summer, it produces tall flower spikes, standing at approximately 1.8 m, adorned with white blooms that are encased in hooded, spiny bracts.

Acanthus 'Summer Beauty'

Acanthus 'Whitewater' is a robust herbaceous perennial that can reach heights of up to 1.5 meters. It features large, deeply lobed leaves that display a striking variegation of dark green accented with white splashes. During the summer months, it produces upright flower spikes adorned with white, funnel-shaped blooms, complemented by hooded purple bracts.

Acanthus 'Whitewater' (v)

Acanthus arboreus

Acanthus australis

Acanthus balcanicus

Acanthus carduaceus

Acanthus dioscoridis is a versatile perennial that can reach heights of up to 40 cm. It features a robust, spreading root system that generates clusters of narrow, lobed leaves that are spiny in texture and dark green, measuring between 8 to 20 cm in length. From late spring through late summer, this plant produces upright flower spikes adorned with pink blooms and green bracts.

Acanthus dioscoridis

Acanthus dioscoridis smooth-leaved

Acanthus dioscoridis subsp. dioscoridis

Acanthus dioscoridis var. perringii is a clump-forming perennial that reaches a height of up to 40 cm. It features deeply divided, spiny leaves that are a grey-green hue, accompanied by thick, spreading roots. From late spring through late summer, this plant produces elongated, upright flower spikes adorned with lilac-pink sepals and creamy white corollas.

Acanthus dioscoridis var. perringii

Acanthus eminens

Acanthus greuterianus

Acanthus hirsutus is a herbaceous perennial that reaches heights of up to 45 cm. It features a rosette of lance-shaped leaves that are dark green, toothed, and prickly, measuring as much as 40 cm in length and 8 cm in width. During the summer months, it produces short flower spikes adorned with creamy-pale-yellow blossoms that are sheltered by green bracts. The foliage, stems, and flower spikes are all coated with fine, silky hairs.

Acanthus hirsutus

Acanthus hirsutus f. roseus

Acanthus hirsutus subsp. syriacus is a perennial herb that forms dense clumps and reaches heights of up to 75 cm. It features a rosette of lance-shaped leaves that are dark green, serrated, and prickly, arising from pointed buds. During the summer months, the plant produces short floral spikes adorned with creamy-pale-yellow blooms, each encased in reddish-brown bracts. The entire plant, including the leaves, stems, and flower spikes, is coated in fine, silky hairs.

Acanthus hirsutus subsp. syriacus

This perennial reaches a height of 1.5 meters, featuring clumps of finely dissected leaves that can grow up to 1 meter long and 20 centimeters wide. In summer, it produces spikes of flowers that range in color from white to pink, which are sheltered by green or purplish bracts.

Acanthus hungaricus

Acanthus hungaricus 'White Lips' is a perennial that forms clumps and reaches up to 70 cm in height when in bloom. It features elongated, deeply lobed basal foliage. From early to late summer, it produces tall, spiny flower spikes adorned with white blossoms that have purple hoods.

Acanthus hungaricus 'White Lips'

Acanthus longifolius Poir.

Acanthus mollis is a robust species featuring broad, glossy dark green foliage that is divided into lobes. In late summer, it produces tall spikes adorned with white blossoms complemented by dark purple bracts.

Acanthus mollis

Acanthus mollis 'Hollard's Gold' is a clump-forming perennial that reaches heights of up to 1.5 meters when in bloom. It features robust, dark red-brown stems and glossy, deeply lobed leaves that exhibit a vibrant yellow-green hue in spring and autumn. From mid-summer to early autumn, it produces tall, spiny flower spikes adorned with white blooms topped with purple hoods.

Acanthus mollis 'Hollard's Gold'

Acanthus mollis 'Long Spike'

Acanthus mollis 'Niger' is a robust perennial that can reach heights of up to 1.5 meters when in bloom. It features elongated, deeply lobed basal leaves that are glossy and a rich, dark green. In late summer, this plant produces tall, spiny flower spikes adorned with white blossoms topped by purplish hoods.

Acanthus mollis 'Niger'

Acanthus mollis 'Pride of Morvan' (v)

A more restrained variety of Acanthus mollis, reaching approximately 1.5 meters in height. The foliage features deep green leaves adorned with white markings and hints of yellow on newly unfurled leaves. During the summer, it produces flower spikes characterized by bracts in shades of white and pink.

Acanthus mollis 'Tasmanian Angel' (v)

Acanthus mollis 'Wofford Rhubarb'

Acanthus mollis (Latifolius Group) 'Rue Ledan' is a semi-evergreen perennial that forms clumps and reaches a height of approximately 1.5 meters. It features wide, shallowly lobed leaves that are glossy and dark green in color. In late summer, it produces upright spikes adorned with white flowers topped with green hoods.

Acanthus mollis (Latifolius Group) 'Rue Ledan'

Acanthus mollis (Latifolius Group) 'Sjaak'

Acanthus mollis Latifolius Group consists of clump-forming perennials characterized by their oversized, glossy leaves, which can reach lengths of up to 1.2 meters and feature shallow lobes. In late summer, the plants produce tall, spiny flower spikes. The blooms can be white or pale pink, each surrounded by hooded bracts that are either green or purple. This group is recognized for its robust foliage, which forms dense clusters, though it may not produce flowers as abundantly as other varieties.

Acanthus mollis Latifolius Group

Acanthus mollis free-flowering

Acanthus mollis from Turkey

Acanthus mollis var. latifolius 'Treasure Island' (v)

Acanthus montanus

Acanthus montanus 'Crocodile'

Acanthus polystachius

Acanthus sennii is a vertical perennial or sub-shrub characterized by its oblong to oval leaves, which feature prominent spines and a mid-green hue. In mid-summer to early autumn, it produces large, red, lipped flowers that appear on short, terminal spikes.

Acanthus sennii

Acanthus spinosus 'Lady Moore' (v)

Acanthus spinosus 'Phylis Moore'

Acanthus spinosus 'Royal Haughty'

Acanthus spinosus 'Typ Wichmann' is a perennial that forms clumps and can reach a height of up to 55 cm. It features a rosette of lance-shaped leaves that are dark green, toothed, and spiny, which arise from pointed buds. During the summer months, it produces short flower spikes adorned with white blossoms, each surrounded by lilac-purple bracts. The entire plant, including its leaves, stems, and flower spikes, is coated in fine, silky hairs.

Acanthus spinosus 'Typ Wichmann'

Acanthus spinosus 'Will o' the Wisp' (v)

Acanthus spinosus Ferguson's form is a compact, clump-forming perennial that reaches heights of up to 65 cm. It features a rosette of deeply divided, serrated, and spiny lance-shaped leaves that are dark green and arise from pointed buds. During the summer months, this plant produces short flower spikes adorned with numerous silvery-white blossoms, each partially enveloped by purple bracts. The foliage, stems, and flower spikes are all coated in fine, silky hairs.

Acanthus spinosus Ferguson's form

Acanthus spinosus L. is a robust herbaceous perennial that can reach heights of up to 1.2 meters. It features large, deeply lobed leaves that are dark green and have spiny tips. In late spring and summer, this plant produces upright flower spikes adorned with white blooms and spiny purple bracts.

Acanthus spinosus L.

The Acanthus spinosus Spinosissimus Group consists of clump-forming perennials characterized by deeply lobed, spiny leaves that are a rich grey-green, featuring prominent white midribs. During the summer, this plant produces tall spikes adorned with white flowers that have purple hoods. Named for its distinctive spiny leaves, this group may not yield as many flowers as some other varieties within the species.