Topic: Bears Britches

[Wrennie]

I'm trying a bunch of new seeds this year. One is Bears Britches. Living in bear country I just had to try it. Anyone ever grow any? Any advise?

[Bonnie]

Never heard of them. I thought you were talking about oneoldbear's pants.

[Tina]

I call it bear's breech, I think. If we are talking about the same plant. I don't know zonal needs. I like them because of the large crinkly leaves; similar to rhubarb.  The blooms when they happen are a bonus. They do well here in our desert climate.

[Wrennie]

Too funny Bonnie!!!

I'm not sure Tina. I got the seeds in a trade. And you know how names sometimes get altered by mispronunciation and such.
I googled britches. Going to look at breech... zip ...

....zip.... yup they are both the same thing different name. Acanthus mollis.
uh-oh, britches is also acanthus spinosus.

I guess if the seeds grow for me I'll have a suprise one way or the other.

[Patty S]

Wrennie, I found Bear's Britches (Acanthus-spinosus.), then another place has it listed as Bear's Breech/Bear's Breeches, but there, they say it's "Acanthus lusitanicus".    Looks the same to me.

Sounds like it's deer proof! (I love deer proof!)  It also sounds like once it comes up for you, you may never get rid of it!

[Wrennie]

I've heard some say it takes over, some say it behaves. May depend on which acanthhus it actually is.

[duh]

My dad had it up in Seattle.  I thought it was a nice looking bloom.  Dad didn't like it.  I think it spread to much for him.  It is tall.  At least it seems so to a miniaturist like me.  I like my plants small.  I don't know why.

[Tina]

Well, as far as spreading it was big for me. And I had to keep cutting it back so it didn't interfere with the pathway. But mine died eventually. So I would have a hard time calling it invasive from experience.