Mystery plant

This plant has been irritating me for a good few years now. My mum planted it years ago, but I don't remember her saying what it is; I love it though, so much that I dug it up and brought it 200 miles to my new home!



The flower spikes are roughly 36" tall, the foliage at the moment isn't growing at all well but when it's growing well, the leaves get up to 15" (give or take) long, and about 10" across. The whole thing has reached 3' across in the past; it seems to be growing less each time I move it though, which is probably why it's suffering at the moment, along with being very susceptible to snails.

I moved it once before when we landscaped the old garden, and a new one grew from whatever I must've left behind - that one grew fantastically and hit 4' across. When I dug this one out the same thing happened. It really doesn't like being moved though (and won't be again) - both times I've done it it's died off and had to start again from scratch.

Right now I'm giving it TLC with miracle gro, and it's getting there slowly - there are lots of new leaves just sprouting. I'm going to de-snail and put eggshells down in a minute.

Edit to add: I have weeded the border since this picture!

 

What a lovely plant, it is Acanthus mollis (Bear's Breeches).

 

Fantastic, thank you so much!

Just been reading a little write-up, apparently heavy water can cause problems - which would explain why it's not doing so well, half my garden was flooded with those awful rains and this plant was under a couple inches of water.

 

Thank you from me, too, Lavender as it grows wild here and I sort of thought that's what it was but it's localised and I don't think I got a pic of it for my wildflower section.

 

Hi Nikita - as you have discovered, it grows from root cuttings. Which means that every time you dig it up you leave a bit of root, and it regrows - can be a bit of a nuisance.

I have a couple in pots, to keep them under control. Last year they flowered beautifully, but this year they have done nothing. I understand they like a lot of heat and good moisture at the roots (although they are quoted as drought tolerant). Its a difficult combination, its either wet and cold or hot and dry. But not so often hot and wet.