Plant profile:
- Botanical name: Acanthus hungaricus
- Order: Mint family (Lamiales)
- Genus: Acanthus (Acanthus)
- Family: Acanthaceae - Acanthus family
- Growth: arched, expansive, clump-forming
- Height: 40 - 100 centimeters
- Spread: 80 - 100 centimeters
- Main flowering period: July - August
- Leaf: Strong green, shiny, pinnate, broadly lanceolate, leaf margin lobed
- Flower: simple, very large (over 10 centimeters) with a typical lip shape
- Flower shape: grape-shaped
- Flower color: whitish pink
- Fruits: capsules
Special features:
- Well hardy
- Grateful cut flower.
- Also suitable as a container plant for balconies and patios.
origin
As the name suggests, this impressive ornamental plant comes from Southeastern Europe, where it is found in moderately warm regions, for example in light forests and on dry rocky slopes is.
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Location and care
The Hungarian hogweed prefers a sunny to partially shaded location. It is well suited for underplanting deciduous trees, where the light caresses it in spring. Summer shadows through the foliage do not harm it. In front of the dark green backdrop, the impressive inflorescences are particularly attractive.
floor
Acanthus shrubs need nutrient-rich, deep but loose soil. You can mix heavily compacted substrate with sand and thus ensure optimal conditions.
Watering and fertilizing
The Hungarian hogweed prefers moist soils without waterlogging. However, the plant can cope well with drier conditions. Depending on the location, you should still water it on hot summer days.
There is hardly any need for fertilization, it is sufficient to sprinkle Acanthus with some ripe compost and / or Horn shavings(€ 32.93 at Amazon *) to supply.
Attractive winter beauty
The seed heads are very stable and look extremely pretty covered with hoarfrost and snow. Therefore do not cut acanthus back in autumn, but only shortly before budding.
Tips
When planting, keep in mind that the Balkan hogweed grows clumps and spreads. For this reason, keep a minimum distance of 70 centimeters to other plants. It develops most beautifully when you give it a place where it can spread and grow undisturbed.
