A bit out of fashion, the Balkan Bear Claw is one of the ornamental plants that have become rare in our gardens. Non-poisonous, because only the German name is related to the giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), which causes severe skin burns, it enchants with its ornamental inflorescences. These served Greek artists of antiquity as inspiration for the Corinthian acanthus capitals.
Balkan Bear Claw is a beautiful hardy perennial for the garden
Plant profile:
- Botanical name: Acanthus hungaricus
- Order: Lamiaceae (Lamiales)
- Genus: Acanthus (Acanthus)
- Family: Acanthaceae - Acanthus family
- Growth: arching, sprawling, clump-forming
- Growth height: 40 - 100 centimeters
- Growth width: 80 - 100 centimeters
- Main flowering period: July - August
- Leaves: Strong green, glossy, pinnate, broadly lanceolate, leaf margin lobed
- Flower: Simple, very large (over 10 centimetres) with a typical lip shape
- Flower shape: Grape-shaped
- Flower color: Whitish pink
- Fruits: capsules
Special properties:
- Good hardy
- Grateful cut flower.
- Also suitable as a container plant for balconies and terraces.
origin
As the name suggests, this impressive ornamental plant comes from south-eastern Europe, where it can be found in temperate regions such as open forests and dry rocky slopes.
location and care
The Hungarian Bear Claw prefers a sunny to half-shady location. It is well suited for underplanting deciduous trees, where the light caresses it in spring. Summer shadows from the foliage do not harm it. The impressive inflorescences are particularly attractive against the dark green backdrop.
floor
Acanthus plants need nutrient-rich, deep but loose soil. You can mix heavily compacted substrate with sand to ensure optimal conditions.
watering and fertilizing
The Hungarian hogweed prefers moist soil without waterlogging. However, the plant also copes well with drier conditions. Depending on the location, you should still water them additionally on hot summer days.
Hardly any fertilizer is needed, it is sufficient to provide Acanthus with some ripe compost and/or horn shavings (€32.93) in spring.
Attractive winter beauty
The seed pods are very stable and look extremely pretty covered in hoarfrost and snow. Therefore, do not cut back acanthus in autumn, but only shortly before they sprout.
tips
When planting, keep in mind that the Balkan Bear Claw grows in clumps and spreads. For this reason, keep a minimum distance of 70 centimeters to other plants. It develops best when you give it a place where it can spread and grow undisturbed.