About
Acaena buchananii is a fast-growing evergreen perennial that forms a dense mat of finely divided blue-green leaves. It produces clusters of white flowers on upright stems that gradually develop a reddish hue as they mature. This plant serves well as ground cover in flower beds, rock gardens, along paths, and against dry stone walls.
About the genus
Acaena comprises evergreen perennials or subshrubs characterized by pinnate foliage featuring serrated leaflets. The small flowers are borne in compact, rounded clusters or spikes, which subsequently give rise to distinctive burr-like fruiting structures.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Matforming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- Up to 10 cm
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Native to
- New Zealand
- Toxicity
- Pets (dogs) - Burrs can irritate skin
Care notes
- Cultivation
- This 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
- Propagation
- Please see cultivation notes
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free