Helping You Become a More Successful Gardener
Plant Search
Grandiflora
Acanthaceae
Acanthus montanus
Mountain Thistle
This shrubby, spreading, semi-evergreen to evergreen perennial bears spiny, leathery leaves that are sharply divided and have attractive silver markings. For most, this native of West Africa is less of an ornamental and more of a weed. Mountain thistle is adapted to the forest understory and grassy fields, so it grows well in sunny and shaded locations.
Tall, upright spikes of pinkish tubular flowers appear from summer to fall. These are highly attractive to bees. Spent flower spikes should be removed to keep the foliage looking attractive and tidy.
Adaptable to full sun and partial shade, mountain thistle grows best to fertile to average soil with good drainage. The plants tend to spread and can be divided in fall or spring. Established specimens will withstand periods of drought. It is a pretty plant for mixed borders and even grows well in container compositions.
Acanthus montanus is considered a noxious weed in certain parts of the world, such as Australia.
12 - 7
7 - 11
H1, H2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Perennial
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
4'-6' / 1.2m - 1.8m (6)
18"-26" / 45.7cm - 66.0cm (24)
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
Western Africa
Acidic, Neutral
Well Drained
Loam
Fast
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
Clump-Forming
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
White, Light Pink
Bicolor
Dark Green, Silver
Variegated
No
Single
Yes
Coarse
Glossy
Semi-Evergreen
Cutflower, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall
Sometimes
© 2006-2012 Preferred Commerce. All Rights Reserved.
