The stout flower heads of the armed bear’s breeches plant can be admired on the Herbaceous Beds.
Occurring in south-eastern Europe and western Asia this spiny clump-forming perennial was first introduced to gardens of the United Kingdom in the seventeenth century. It is one of approximately 30 species from dry, rocky sites, distributed mainly in the Mediterranean. All species have lobed or toothed basal leaves, often with spines, and erect racemes of two-lipped flowers with bracts. Acanthus spinosus has glossy, lobed leaves with spiny margins, and racemes of white flowers with spined purple bracts.