Acanthus hungaricus

Picture a tropical-looking, dark green, glossy, thick-leaf fern forming an 18" tall x 30" wide deer-resistant perennial and you've got an acanthus. Acanthus hungaricus is topped in early spring with a mass of 3' tall spikes, composed of purple, pink and white tricolor turtleheads...very unique! Although some taxonomists have lumped Acanthus hungaricus into Acanthus balcanicus, we feel that there is a horticultural difference. Plant this where you want it to stay. While it is easy to move, small root pieces that are left behind keep on giving, and giving, and giving. We have good reports of it being long term winter hardy in Zone 4a, so most reports on-line seem in error.