Bear’s Breech
Bear’s breech is grown for its clumps of immense, coarse, glossy leaves and tall flower spikes. It is usually considered more a landscape plant than a border perennial.
The dark green, deeply lobed leaves grow to 2 feet long, in basal clusters often 2 feet high and 4 feet wide. The foliage is imposing and effective from March to October. The flowers are creamy white, lavender, or rose, with greenish or purplish bracts, and appear along upright stems 2 to 3 feet tall. They bloom in late spring and early summer.
Bear’s breech does best in moist, rich loam with good drainage, but it performs reasonably well in dry sandy soil. It prefers filtered shade, but tolerates full sun in cool climates. It tolerates drought, but the foliage will be more lush with adequate moisture. In the northern limits of its range, plant in a warm, protected location, and mulch over winter. Space plants 3 to 4 feet apart. Care is easy. Remove spent flower stalks. To grow for foliage alone, remove stalks as they appear. Bear’s breech is a very invasive plant. The roots spread a considerable distance underground and the plant forms spreading clumps, like bamboo, so confine the roots unless you want a large stand. Snails and slugs can be a problem. The plant rarely requires division for rejuvenation, but is easily propagated by that method. Divide any time from October to March.
