About
Has strong, woody main stems, decumbent and seldom rooting, forming loose mats to 13cm tall and to 60cm or more across. Young stems are reddish-pink. The pinnate leaves are 6-12 cm long, with 9-13, conspicuously veined, blue-grey leaflets. Flowerheads are globular, with red stamens. Burrs are 2-2.5cm wide, with barbed spines, on long stems to 20cm.
About the genus
Acaena can be evergreen perennials or subshrubs with pinnate leaves with dentate leaflets. Tiny flowers are carried in a dense rounded head or spike, followed by attractive burr-like fruiting heads
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeAlpine Rockery, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitMatforming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesHerbaceous borders, cottage gardens, cutting.
Native toSouth America, subantarctic islands
ToxicityPets (dogs) - Burrs can irritate skin
Care notes
CultivationThis plant is listed on Schedule 9 of the UK Wildlife & Countryside Act (Northern Ireland) as an invasive non-native species. Although not banned from sale, it is an offence to plant or cause these to grow in the wild IN NORTHERN IRELAND Gardeners possessing them should undertake measures to control them. See RHS advice on invasive non-native species for further information
PruningMinimal pruning required. Remove dead or damaged growth as needed.
PropagationPlease see cultivation notes
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free