About
Capsella bursa-pastoris, commonly known as shepherd's purse, is a resilient annual or biennial plant. It develops a rosette of serrated leaves that can endure through the winter months. From spring to autumn, this species produces small white flowers atop erect stems that can reach up to 50 cm in height, which are succeeded by distinctive seed pods shaped like hearts.
About the genus
Capsella is a genus of resilient, herbaceous annuals that exhibit significant variation in height, as well as in the shape and size of their leaves, flowers, and fruits. These plants have a rapid growth rate and can flower and set seed year-round. The seeds are often heart-shaped, while the flowers are typically small and white.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, East-facing, South-facing, North-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0-0.1 metre
- Time to full height
- 1 year
- Suggested uses
- Wildlife gardens
- Native to
- Temp. & subtr.
Care notes
- Cultivation
- A fast-growing, short-lived plant of bare and cultivated land. See shepherd's purse for further information
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Produces vast quantities of seed throughout the year, providing food for small birds. Unwanted seedlings are easily removed
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to the leaf disease white blister which affects Brassicaceae, Asteraceae and Aizoaceae groups of plants