Acanthus - A Sign Of Triumph

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

The first mention of the Acanthus plant is found in the architectural monuments of Ancient Greece. Its branchy leaves, equipped with numerous sharp ends, inspired the sculptor to create the Corinthian architectural order, a characteristic feature of which is a bell-shaped capital decorated with Acanthus leaves

Inspirational Acanthus

Artists of all ages have drawn their creative ideas from nature. In the 5th century BC, a Greek sculptor named Callimachus invented a new architectural order, which was given the name "Corinthian", since the sculptor was from Corinth.

A distinctive feature of the new type of architecture is the bell-shaped capital. This is the name of the crowning part of the column, which the ancient Greeks loved to erect, paying homage to the gods. The columns of temples were crowned with capital by both the ancient Romans and the ancient Egyptians. They could be made in the form of a lotus or stylized palm leaves.

The prototype of the Corinthian capital was a round-sided basket with the belongings of a dead girl, left on the grave by her nurse. Walking through the cemetery, Callimachus noticed a basket, which was entwined with the shoots of Acantus, wildly growing in a vale of sadness. This painting prompted the sculptor to create a new shape of the capital, decorated with two rows of Acanthus leaves.

Rod Acantus

About fifty species of herbaceous perennials and dwarf shrubs are united by the genus Acanthus. The beauty of the leaves of the plant was forever imprinted in the ornaments that adorned various architectural details of buildings of antiquity. And the powerful long thorns of Acanthus are a Greco-Roman symbol of triumph and overcoming life's trials.

Varieties

* Acanthus prickly (Acanthus spinosus) - it was from this species that the ancient Greek architect copied the ornament for the capital. A powerful meter-long plant is covered with thorny leaves, similar to the footprint of a wild tall bear. Lilac-white flowers with green bracts form a large spike-shaped inflorescence.

* Acanthus soft (Acanthus mollis) is the most popular cultivated species. The tall stem (up to 90 cm in height) is covered with long glossy oval leaves and purple-pink flowers blooming in summer.

* Acanthus longifolia (Acanthus longifolius) - the height of the stem does not differ from the popular species, growing up to 90 cm. Lilac inflorescences bloom in early summer. The dark green leaves are deeply cut, with a wavy edge and impressive length.

* Balkan acanthus (Acanthus balcanicus) - an interesting variety "Long-leaved" with light pink flowers with a lilac shade and petiole leaves, consisting of wide ovoid lobes, connected at the petiole.

* Acanthus holly (Acanthus ilicifolius) - otherwise called

Acanthus holly … A low shrub that grows along the shores of water bodies (seas, swamps, lakes) in East Asia and Australia. It has healing properties that help with rheumatism and asthma.

Growing

Acanthus are good in single plantings, or in small groups, while maintaining the distance between individuals from 60 to 90 cm, depending on the species.

A native of the tropics prefers partial shade, fertile, well-drained soil, which it is advisable to fertilize when planting with mineral and organic fertilizers with a high nitrogen content.

During the active growing season, it requires regular watering, which should be more abundant during the dry period of summer.

Withstands low and high temperatures.

Faded peduncles, damaged or yellowed parts of the plant are removed.

Reproduction

Propagated by spring-summer sowing of seeds, or by dividing the bush from October to the first month of spring.

Enemies

Acanthus is a fairly persistent plant, itself coping with pests and diseases. With poor agricultural technology (waterlogged or too dense soil), it can be affected by fungi that provoke root rot.