Overview

Lepidium perfoliatum is a clump forming, columnar upright herbaceous perennial in the genus Lepidium, part of the Brassicaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Lepidium perfoliatum grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, cut flowers, flower borders and beds and wall side borders.

About

Lepidium perfoliatum is a species of flowering plant in the mustard family known by the common names clasping pepperweed and perfoliate pepperwort. It is native to Europe and Asia and it can be found in other parts of the world as an introduced species. This is an annual or biennial herb producing an erect stem to a maximum height near 60 centimeters. Leaves at the base of the plant are divided into linear lobes, while the leaves higher up on the stem are rounded to oval in shape and surround the stem. Grow it in full sun and loam soil. In UK gardens it is hardy in most of the UK (RHS H5). It works well for cottage and informal garden, cut flowers, flower borders and beds and wall side borders. It tolerates neutral soils, well-drained conditions and south-facing, west-facing and east-facing aspects. Plant in well-drained soil in a suitable position. Water during establishment.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Lepidium perfoliatum

About the genus

Lepidium is a genus of plants in the mustard/cabbage family, Brassicaceae. The genus is widely distributed in the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Australia. It includes familiar species such as garden cress, maca, and dittander.

Wikipedia contributors, "Lepidium", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Lepidium

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Lepidium

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, West-facing, East-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H5

Plant details

Lepidium perfoliatum size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Herbaceous Perennial

Habit

Clump forming, Columnar upright

Foliage

Deciduous

Suggested uses

Cottage and informal garden, Cut flowers, Flower borders and beds, Wall side borders

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Lepidium perfoliatum

Propagation

Pencil thick basal softwood cuttings in early spring

Pest resistance

Aphids, Earwigs, Delphinium leaf miner, Delphinium moth caterpillars, Slugs, Snails, Caterpillars

Disease resistance

Powdery mildews, Delphinium black blotch, Crown rot, Viruses

Frequently asked questions