Acaena inermis 'Purpurea'
purple spineless acaena
A mat-forming, evergreen perennial with bronze-purple foliage. Small, white, pincushion flowers appear in summer, followed by red-brown, burr-like fruit
Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cmTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Bronze Purple | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Bronze Purple | Brown | |
| Autumn | Bronze Purple | Brown | ||
| Winter | Bronze Purple |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Matforming
- Potentially harmful
- Pets (dogs) - Burrs can irritate skin
- Genus
Acaena can be evergreen perennials or subshrubs with pinnate leaves with dentate leaflets. Tiny flowers are carried in a dense rounded head or spike, followed by attractive burr-like fruiting heads
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in any well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Useful ground cover between paving stones as it tolerates being trodden on but in borders its creeping habit means it can spread. This plant is listed on Schedule 9 of The Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order (1985), as amended, as an invasive non-native species. While this does not prevent it from being sold or being grown in gardens in Northern Ireland, the RHS encourages those that do grow it to take great care with managing it and with disposing of unwanted material. The RHS also encourages gardeners in Northern Ireland to find alternative plants to grow to those listed on Schedule 9. For suggested alternative plants see the Plantlife/RHS guide, Gardening without harmful invasive plants
Propagation
Propagate by seed or division
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Ground cover
- Banks and slopes
Pruning
Pull out rooted stems to restrict its spread
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.