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Acanthus

Gardenbug22Gardenbug22 Posts: 15
in Problem solving
Hi
I have an acanthus (not sure which type) on end of border. It makes a good 'book end' but I'm looking to add some new plants next to it. The space i am wanting to plant in is right next to acanthus and there is no room to leave a big gap. My concern is will the roots of the acanthus affect / strangle the new plant (lupins, delphiniums) being planted so close. I can see an acanthus root poking up right in the spot i want to plant my lupin. I am wondering if I should dig the acanthus up before planting new plant? (I didn't plant the acanthus and have just read how invasive it can be and how much its roots spread. Wanting to protect my new plants so they have the best chance). I have an established front garden but in process of redesigning planting to colours and plants that I like.
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Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Welcome @gardenbug I grow Acanthus Hollard's Gold the roots go down a very long way. I have planted it in an area of the garden where it is allowed to wander. I love it, it stayed a lovely golden yellow all winter with no leaf damage. In a cold winter it normally turns to a brown mush. So going forward it may take on a new use in the winter months. Would I plant it with Lupins? Probably not the Acanthus would win every time.
    Perhaps it could go elsewhere the problem for me is I prefer it to Lupins, a personnal choice.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I had an established one and decided to remove it one year - it was forever getting mildew - I dug it out about 10 years ago and there are still shoots coming up in that area.
    I just keep pulling the leaves out of the ground as they appear

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Gardenbug22Gardenbug22 Posts: 15
    edited June 2022
    Thanks both. I don't dislike it and it is coming into bloom now and looks quite nice. It can be a bit prickly though and my goodness it took a lot of chopping to keep it at a manageable size. It started growing very vigorously a couple of months back. It actually is a similar colour to one of the delphiniums I bought to go next to it along with the lupins (didn't think about them looking similar but in a way the flowers are). I thought I had my new border design all worked out but not sure if should plant next to it now. I would keep acanthus chopped back. Would roots get lupin though? I'm quite new to gardening and generally speaking I'm not sure how plants cope close together with their root systems underground. My borders are a bit crowded for my liking but planning on taking a couple of things out. It sounds like if i planted lupin next to it it won't survive but if I remove it I need to find something quite substantial to fill gap and it sounds like ill be pulling its shoots up forever.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Try it - the worst that can happen is your lupin doesn't thrive.
    I had lots of late summer asters (Little Carlow) very close to mine and they were fine.
    Penstemon 'Garnet' was also close by and done well

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Gardenbug22Gardenbug22 Posts: 15
    I won't take much persuasion lol. I do wonder what to do if I decide to take out bears breech further down the line after planted lupin because it would then disrupt lupin. Unless I took lupin out again before digging up. Good to know you have grown other flowers close by ok.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Once the main plant is out, from my experience, you get tufts of new growth appearing around April from deep down - I pull them out usually with about 10" of stem. It's not really a big deal, but shows how resilient the plants are. Sometimes more appear a bit later in the season too.
    I found it self seeded a lot too and the re were plenty of seedlings around too to dig up before they sent long roots down

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Gardenbug22Gardenbug22 Posts: 15
    It does show how resilient they are for sure! I can't decide what to do with it. If I took it up I wonder what else I could put on end of border instead. Im very new to gardening. This decision is really ruining my excitement over my new flowers and design.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Don't rush it - gardening is supposed to be relaxing. Planning is part of the fun bit before the hard work starts :)
    I know what you mean, but take a little time to have a think about what you would like there.
    Certainly if you post a couple of pics of the area and let us know what the soil is like, the aspect and an idea of were you are, you'll get plenty of suggestions.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Gardenbug22Gardenbug22 Posts: 15
    Thanks for your advice. 
  • ShepherdsBarnShepherdsBarn Posts: 401
    We have 2 different types of acanthus growing in our garden and yes, they certainly seem to be taking over! One has pointed leaves and the other, more rounded/softer edges; the flowers though seem pretty much the same. Does anyone know the names of the different types?
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