Overview
Scleranthus biflorus is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Scleranthus, part of the Caryophyllaceae family, with evergreen foliage. It typically grows around Up to 10 cm tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 2-5 years. Scleranthus biflorus grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates loam and sand soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. It is low maintenance. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, rock garden, low maintenance, banks and slopes, flower borders and beds, garden edging and ground cover.
About
Scleranthus biflorus is a cushion-bush found in Australia and New Zealand. Other common names include the knawel and two-flowered knawel or twin-flower knawel. It may be in the form of a mat. As of 2015, this species was under review, and new taxa were planned. It is native to New South Wales, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, Tasmania, Victoria and other regions. Mature plants reach roughly Up to 10 cm tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, carrying evergreen foliage. In the garden it prefers full sun and partial shade and loam and sand soil. It tolerates soil of any pH, well-drained conditions and east-facing, south-facing and west-facing aspects.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Scleranthus biflorus
About the genus
Scleranthus, the knawels, are a genus of herbaceous plants in the family Caryophyllaceae. It includes 12 species native to Europe, Siberia, western Asia, north Africa, Ethiopia, New Guinea, and Australia.
Wikipedia contributors, "Scleranthus", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Scleranthus
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Scleranthus
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
Scleranthus biflorus size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- Up to 10 cm
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Rock garden, Low Maintenance, Banks and slopes, Flower borders and beds, Garden edging, Ground cover
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Scleranthus biflorus
- Propagation
- Division
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Scleranthus biflorus?
Scleranthus biflorus prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Scleranthus biflorus need?
Scleranthus biflorus grows best in loam and sand soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
How big does Scleranthus biflorus grow?
Scleranthus biflorus reaches a height of Up to 10 cm and a spread of 0.1-0.5 metres. It takes around 2-5 years to reach full size.
Is Scleranthus biflorus hardy in the UK?
Scleranthus biflorus has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.
How do I propagate Scleranthus biflorus?
Division.
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