About
Phyla nodiflora, capeweed or turkey tangle frogfruit, is a mat-forming perennial to about 15 cm with a woody base, creeping stems to 90 cm long and oval to spoon-shaped, serrated leaves. Dense flowerheads with a purple centre surrounded by tiny white flowers are borne on slender stalks above the foliage from mid to late summer. An ornamental ground-cover for a sunny, well-drained position in a frost-free garden.
About the genus
Phyla are mat-forming or upright perennials and shrubs with toothed leaves and small, dense flowerheads. Grown as ornamental ground-cover or border plants in frost-free gardens.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitMatforming, Trailing
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Hanging basket
Care notes
CultivationTolerates most soils, thrives in moist conditions but mature plants will tolerate some drought once established. May die back in cold winters and resprout in spring. Can spread rapidly in ideal conditions
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by division or by softwood cuttings, plants will root at the nodes as they spread
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free