Acanthus spinosus

Purple/white flowers from late spring to late summer.

Planting container grown plants in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in early spring. Also root cuttings can be taken and planted from mid to late winter. Can be planted in full shade to full sun.

Sow seed under glass in spring.

Carefully lift the plant out of the ground, do not to damage its roots. Rinse the roots in water to remove all soil. With a sharp knife, take off 5cm lengths of pencil thin roots. Fill pots with compost to which grit has been added, lay the cuttings, spaced out, on top. Cover with a thin layer of compost. Water well, label pots and place in a in a cold frame or somewhere cool indoors. Replant the parent plant.

Using a fork dig up plant, trying to keep the root ball as complete as possible. Split the root ball at the centre with a sharp knife or a spade, or by placing two garden forks back-to-back into the middle of the root ball, and pushing the fork handles apart.to lever the root ball apart. Replant the new clumps to the same depth as the original, and water well. Keep well watered until established.