This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
Very beautiful plant with large flowers attractive to bees. However, once established you can never completely remove it, should you wish to do so, as the roots re-grow from the tiniest bit of plant material broken off and left in the ground. So just be careful where you put it! Traditionally known as Bear's Breeches.
Ginnychick
Hampshire
A very interesting plant...Nothing quite like it. Great for the back of a border, or a woodland setting. Mine grows well against an east facing wall, in partial shade. Striking & always gets compliments. Leaves can look a little tatty later in the year though.
DavidG
Essex
Fantastic architectural interest. Doing very well in a range of places and aspects on free draining soil
Aspiring designer
Southampton
Very small when arrived but it has established but not flowered yet
Grotface
Lancashire
Bought last year, very small, it is still not flowering, so 2x summers with no flowers. This is over priced for what you get-shame as usually love Crocus plants and excellent quality. If you buy, be aware may take several years to flower
Alex
Beaconsfield
80.0
Tarot Lady
Hello, If you are trying to create a tight clump then you could plant them at 45cm intervals.
Helen
Lis Wallace
Hello There, I am not really sure why your Acanthus is not thriving, although it is worth keeping in mind that they die right back in autumn and wont really have started growing much (if at all) just yet this year. If you planted yours later in the year last year, then this would explain while there has been little growth, but if it was planted in the earlier part of the year then perhaps the plant was concentrating on putting on root growth rather than top growth. They like a spot in full sun or partial shade with deep, fertile, well-drained soil and given time they are quite boisterous, so I would try to improve the growing conditions if you can and hopefully you will see some action soon. I'm sorry not to be more help. Helen Plant Doctor
Crocus Helpdesk
geri and denis
Hello There, There are a number of reasons why plants don't flower including too much shade, not enough water or nutrients, or pruning at the wrong time of the year. It can also be caused by the plant putting on new root growth instead of focusing its energies on producing flowers. I am not really sure why yours has not produced buds, but you can often give them a bit of a push by feeding with a high potash fertiliser. I hope this helps. Helen Plant Doctor
Crocus Helpdesk
Gaynor Killick
Hello There, These plants can be propagated by either division in spring or autumn or take root cuttings in winter. Division is probably the fastest and easiest. It is best carried out on frost free, dry days when the plant is dormant, normally between late autumn and early spring. Simply lift the parent plant and shake off the excess soil. Separate the plant into sections using two forks or a spade, making sure that each section has a good root system and replant immediately keeping the soil level the same as before. Root cuttings are generally done in winter when the plants are completely dormant. You should select healthy, young roots, preferably at least 5mm in diameter that have been taken close to the crown of the plant. Trim the roots to 5-10cm for the thicker pieces and 7-12cm for the thinner ones, making a straight cut on the end which has come from the near the crown and a slated cut at the furthest end. Remove any fibrous roots and dust with a fungicidal powder. Pop them vertically into pots of compost, with the straight cut end flush with the surface of the compost. The thinner roots you can lay flat in trays and cover with a little compost. They should then have a topdressing of grit or sand. Keep them in a cold frame or propagator and don't water them until they have formed roots. I hope this helps. Helen Plant Doctor
Crocus Helpdesk
mel buchan
Hello Melanie, There are a number of reasons why plants don't flower including too much shade or not enough water or nutrients. I am not really sure why yours has not produced buds, but you can often give them a bit of a push by feeding with a high potash fertiliser such as Tomorite.
Crocus Helpdesk
Andree Frieze
Hello Andree, The most likely cause is either too much shade, or not enough of the right nutrients. To encourage flowering, you can feed it with a high potash fertiliser, which should give it a bit of a push. I hope this helps. Helen Plant Doctor
Crocus Helpdesk
Mediterranean gardens can take on various guises from the rustic and rambling to the formal elegance of an Italian courtyard. However, they all have key features in common, including the use of exotic, sometimes tender, drought-tolerant plants in pots and
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