"Bear's Breeches" - what a cute name for such an imposing plant.  If you want a perennial plant that makes a statement in your garden, then Bear's Breeches can do the job.  This Mediterranean native thistle grows up to three feet wide and a whopping three to five feet high.  This architectural perennial has deeply lobed, shiny green leaves with stalks that are adorned with attractive, purple-veined white flowers.   Don't let the fact that it's a thistle deter you:  the species name, "mollis," means soft, and this refers to the soft bristles.  The common name, "Bear's Breech" or "Bear's Breeches," is believed to have come about because of the plant's hairy leaves and/or stalks that resemble the rump or legs of a hairy bear.  And something else good to know:  the Corinthian column design is based on Acanthus leaves.  Bear's Breeches can be resentful of oppressively hot weather and sometimes disappears, only to re-emerge when cooler weather prevails, but aren't we all a little like that?  Although Acanthus mollis, or Bear's Breeches, is said to like sun and partial shade, I have found that shade is much preferred and alleviates some of that warm weather sulkiness.  Acanthus is a little late to emerge in spring, so keep that in mind before you plant something on top of it.  Partial shade, rich soil in Zones 6-8.  (Painting by Hans-Simon Holtzbecker, from Wiki Commons and in the public domain.)  TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK