As a second generation native of dry Los Angeles, the plants that stand out in my memory are those that have survived our periodic droughts. Many of these were remnants of earlier eras — first the ...

Each year Acanthus mollis returns to gardens in Redlands. In fact, their familiar leaves are already popping up in some yards. Acanthus mollis, commonly called bear’s breeches, is one of the great ...

When I look at the Acanthus plants in my garden, I think of the TV detective, Adrian Monk, and how he described his amazing analytical skill: “It’s a gift…and a curse.” That phrase also neatly ...

Imagine a plant in your garden that resembles a living sculpture and dates back before the 4th century B.C.! Its name is acanthus, and it’s possible. Commonly called bear’s breech, leaves of this ...

Acanthus mollis, commonly called bear’s breeches, is popping up in yards in Redlands. Acanthus mollis is one of the great garden plants. Originally found growing among the ancient Romans ruins, it ...

As I’m a second-generation native of dry Los Angeles, the plants that stand out in my memory are those that have survived our periodic droughts. Many of these were remnants of earlier eras – first the ...

The statuesque Acanthus spinosus makes one of the finest silhouettes in the winter garden. Sturdy stems carry a whorl of 30 or so flowers, each capable of producing a shiny, rich-brown, elliptical ...

At the first blink of warmth, my beautiful acanthus is covered in mouldy white spots (black underneath) that kill the leaves, attracting snails, which then eat the few surviving leaves. Should I admit ...

Acanthus is one of my favorite plants. Right now, when my yard is mostly dormant — except for camellias and wild onions — it is a pleasure to see the acanthus unfurling its shiny dark green leaves. I ...

We are embarking on a new 26-month-long series at the request of readers and school teachers alike. Back by popular demand, The Architects’ Alphabet will offer a fresh new vocabulary. We will explore ...

For such an elegant plant in flower, its common name of bear's breeches seems less than suitable. But this rather fanciful name has the merit of being easy to remember. The botanical name of acanthus ...