Common name: bear’s breeches

Size, form, texture: statuesque perennial, larger scale, height 3-5 ft, spread 2-5 ft, showy, clumping and architectural, evergreen.

Hardiness, origin, native ecology: Z 7-10, very vigorous growing and competitive, to reduce growth can decrease amount of moisture, decrease amount of light, and increase the size of other plants. Requires sandy soil, rhizomatous, fertile well drained soil full sun to part shade, with moisture.

Bud, foliage, flower and fruit characteristics: broad leaf sinuses, flat lobed at leaf base, clumping and basal foliage, hair on stems, long flower spikes, attractive white foliage with purple bracts, upright flowering body, very attractive and unusual looking.

Cultural and maintenance requirements and appropriate uses in the landscape: Looks good alone, in massing, good for bold borders, can be aggressive but otherwise quite low maintenance.