Acanthus mollis
Re: How do we get rid of acanthus
Penny Bainbridge
16907 0
I also seem to have acanthus in various places all over my garden. Have tried to dig out painstakingly removing all the little tubers but that seemed to encourage it so I tried the dig out approach followed by weedkiller on every little sprout that appeared -still no success!
I do love the plant but have taken to keeping it in pots and refuse to give it to friends unless they know what to expect!
I have now identified an area of garden where I would dearly love to have a raised bed with some Autumn raspberries but of course there's an acanthus there. Should I risk it if I dig it out first then leave the area covered with plastic over the winter?
I do love the plant but have taken to keeping it in pots and refuse to give it to friends unless they know what to expect!
I have now identified an area of garden where I would dearly love to have a raised bed with some Autumn raspberries but of course there's an acanthus there. Should I risk it if I dig it out first then leave the area covered with plastic over the winter?
Posted: Friday 12th of September 2014 02:58 PM
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: No flowers
Shoot User
1039 0
Thank you!
Posted: Friday 21st of February 2014 12:45 PM
Re: Re: Re: Re: No flowers
Robert Cooper
1039 1
By the way took 3 years for mine to flower. Be patient, 'nature always wins'.
Posted: Thursday 20th of February 2014 07:15 PM
Re: Re: Re: No flowers
Shoot User
1039 1
It's in partial shade so, thank you , I'll try moving it into a sunny spot.
Posted: Thursday 20th of February 2014 03:06 PM
Re: Re: No flowers
Robert Cooper
1039 1
Moved my mollis and Spinoza about every year till they told me the site they liked, was full sun in the end. They'll tolerate partial shade.
Posted: Tuesday 18th of February 2014 09:16 PM
Re: How do we get rid of acanthus
Robert Cooper
16907 0
If not established as soon as leaves appear dig out. Takes time but works.
Posted: Tuesday 18th of February 2014 09:12 PM
Re: How do we get rid of acanthus
Shoot User
16907 0
I am doing battle with some Acanthus at the moment and have had some success in the past with painting the remaining cut shoots with tree killer. You have to be very vigilant, attacking it as it comes up. I did manage to erradicate it from one part of the garden, but it took some time. Digging it up only seems to spread it further as every cut root shoots up another plant.
Posted: Tuesday 28th of May 2013 12:06 PM
16907 0
Hi, Suzanne,
You are not alone with Acanthus taking over - I have been tackling some for about a year. If you search forums here on Shoot, you will find many more with trouble eradicating it. It is as difficult as ivy to get rid of. It will take vigilant digging/pulling out of any sprouts. You can try digging down about 30cm or so in the offending area, removing all root you see and then replacing that soil with untainted topsoil. If it were possible, the best method is to cover the ground where it is with thick black plastic sheeting and leave it there for at least 6 months. This will smother it but not a really feasible method if the offending bits are surrounded by desirable plants.
Best of luck!
Kathy C
You are not alone with Acanthus taking over - I have been tackling some for about a year. If you search forums here on Shoot, you will find many more with trouble eradicating it. It is as difficult as ivy to get rid of. It will take vigilant digging/pulling out of any sprouts. You can try digging down about 30cm or so in the offending area, removing all root you see and then replacing that soil with untainted topsoil. If it were possible, the best method is to cover the ground where it is with thick black plastic sheeting and leave it there for at least 6 months. This will smother it but not a really feasible method if the offending bits are surrounded by desirable plants.
Best of luck!
Kathy C
Posted: Monday 2nd of April 2012 05:53 PM
How do we get rid of acanthus
Shoot User
16907 4
We have several clumps of Acanthus in our garden and would like to get rid of them. No success in trying to dig them up as there always seems to be a tiny bit left which then grows into another plant. The roots are really deep and some seem to be amongst unmovable stones. As suggested by a local gardener we tried painting onto the leaves neat Roundup mixed with a little Fairyliquid (?!) but this only seemed to kill those particular leaves and up sprang new growth. We do not know exactly which variety of Acanthus we have - only that we want it gone. We live in Cornwall. Would appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks
Suzanne
Thanks
Suzanne
Posted: Monday 2nd of April 2012 05:43 AM Last reply: Monday 14th of April 2025 05:59 PM
Re: controling
Kathy N
1141 0
Hi, Trui,
I see Acanthus as a blessing and a bit of a curse - it can be very invasive in the right conditions, sprouting from the tiniest bit of root left in the ground. You can remove the small sprouts any time - best to keep up with it to keep it under control - and try to dig out any bits of roots that remain in the ground in areas you don't want it to grow. As far as it flowering, check it out here on Shoot to make sure it is in the best spot. Though it tolerates shade, it will flower best if it gets more sun.
Kathy C
I see Acanthus as a blessing and a bit of a curse - it can be very invasive in the right conditions, sprouting from the tiniest bit of root left in the ground. You can remove the small sprouts any time - best to keep up with it to keep it under control - and try to dig out any bits of roots that remain in the ground in areas you don't want it to grow. As far as it flowering, check it out here on Shoot to make sure it is in the best spot. Though it tolerates shade, it will flower best if it gets more sun.
Kathy C
Posted: Monday 3rd of October 2011 06:57 PM
controling
Trui Malten
1141 1
I have inherited my garden with a big acanthus that seems to be spreading and sprouting up anywhere it can. How and when do I take care of the sprouting? I guess I did it at the wrong time this year as there are plenty of beautiful leaves, but no flowers so far.
I like the plant, but don't want it to take over my entire small garden.
Thanks
Trui
I like the plant, but don't want it to take over my entire small garden.
Thanks
Trui
Posted: Monday 3rd of October 2011 11:16 AM Last reply: Sunday 2nd of March 2025 09:44 PM
Re: No flowers
Shoot User
1039 0
Thank you. As it's pouring with rain at the moment, I shall apply Toprose as soon as I can & hope!
Jill
Posted: Thursday 4th of August 2011 01:08 PM
Re: Re: No flowers
Shoot User
1039 0
Dear Aunty Planty,
Thank you. As it's pouring with rain at the moment, I shall apply Toprose as soon as I can & hope!
Jill
Thank you. As it's pouring with rain at the moment, I shall apply Toprose as soon as I can & hope!
Jill
Posted: Thursday 4th of August 2011 12:09 PM
Re: No flowers
Valerie Munro
1039 2
Hi Jill
Normally when a plant produces leaves and no flowers, the reason is that it is running short of the nutrient potassium. I'm wondering if you have been feeding your plant, and if so with what? The fertilisers that you can buy at the garden centre are all slightly different, and it's important that we choose the right one for the job in hand.
Nitrogen will give a plant lovely leaves and is a great lawn food product, but a flowering plant needs potassium to produce flowers, fruit and seed.
My staple product is called Westland 'Nutri' which is a slow release product, and one application will last for 6 months - each time you water or it rains, a little of the nutrient is released. 'Nutri' has almost twice as much potassium in it compared with its nitrogen content. If you cannot get this, then Top Rose will work just as well, but the effect only lasts 3 months.
It may be too late in the year to do anything about it this year, but you could try and give your plant a quick dose of tomato feed, but make sure that the ground is well watered before you apply it. Don't expect a miracle, but keep your fingers crossed just in case!
I hope that this helps
Auntie Planty
www.auntieplanty.co.uk
Normally when a plant produces leaves and no flowers, the reason is that it is running short of the nutrient potassium. I'm wondering if you have been feeding your plant, and if so with what? The fertilisers that you can buy at the garden centre are all slightly different, and it's important that we choose the right one for the job in hand.
Nitrogen will give a plant lovely leaves and is a great lawn food product, but a flowering plant needs potassium to produce flowers, fruit and seed.
My staple product is called Westland 'Nutri' which is a slow release product, and one application will last for 6 months - each time you water or it rains, a little of the nutrient is released. 'Nutri' has almost twice as much potassium in it compared with its nitrogen content. If you cannot get this, then Top Rose will work just as well, but the effect only lasts 3 months.
It may be too late in the year to do anything about it this year, but you could try and give your plant a quick dose of tomato feed, but make sure that the ground is well watered before you apply it. Don't expect a miracle, but keep your fingers crossed just in case!
I hope that this helps
Auntie Planty
www.auntieplanty.co.uk
Posted: Wednesday 3rd of August 2011 08:25 AM
No flowers
Shoot User
1039 2
Plenty of healthy looking green leaves but no flowers for the second year running. Any ideas , please?
Posted: Tuesday 2nd of August 2011 08:21 PM Last reply: Saturday 1st of March 2025 01:48 AM
1744 0
Hi Kathy - thank you so much for a really helpful reply. Sounds like everything is wrong for our poor Acanthus - mainly in the sun, very hot and dry and they are relatively newly planted!! Still, they're not dead yet so we'll try to make conditions better for them and hope they survive. Thanks again! L
Posted: Wednesday 28th of July 2010 05:30 PM
Re: Acanthus Mollis - rotting?
Kathy N
1744 1
Hi, J&L
I doubt the problem is a pest or root rot - the few holes could be caterpillars, but not the cause of the problem. I don't know where you live, but this is not uncommon for Acanthus to do in the summer, particularly if it has been hot & dry. When temperatures rise, Acanthus doesn't like it. Also, if it is getting a lot of sun as well as being very warm, that will cause it to yellow and brown. And even though they can handle dry conditions, they do that best if they are in full shade. Having said all this, does any of this apply to yours. Only other thought I have is if these were newly planted, there might be a planting problem.
Kathy C
I doubt the problem is a pest or root rot - the few holes could be caterpillars, but not the cause of the problem. I don't know where you live, but this is not uncommon for Acanthus to do in the summer, particularly if it has been hot & dry. When temperatures rise, Acanthus doesn't like it. Also, if it is getting a lot of sun as well as being very warm, that will cause it to yellow and brown. And even though they can handle dry conditions, they do that best if they are in full shade. Having said all this, does any of this apply to yours. Only other thought I have is if these were newly planted, there might be a planting problem.
Kathy C
Posted: Tuesday 27th of July 2010 07:01 PM
1744 1
The leaves appear to be rotting - yellowing with brown edges, there are a few small circular holes. Plant info says mainly pest free but our plants are far from healthy! Any ideas??
Posted: Sunday 25th of July 2010 07:50 PM Last reply: Sunday 13th of April 2025 05:45 PM
Acanthus mollis
Shoot User
1187 0
The leaves of this plant are generally considered by historians to have been the design inspiration for the Corinthian column capitals of Roman architecture.
In Spain I have seen the subsp platyphyllos.
In Spain I have seen the subsp platyphyllos.
Posted: Wednesday 13th of May 2009 05:51 PM Last reply: Saturday 1st of March 2025 02:20 AM