Capparis spinosa Inermis

Capparis spinosa 'Inermis' is a thornless form of the wild caper bush, known for its capers, which are pickled flower buds in salted vinegar. It is a Mediterranean undershrub emblematic of stone walls, from which it cascades in curtains. It stands out in summer with its fragrant white and pinkish-purple flowering, and its remarkable delicacy. The plant forms a woody stump from which numerous slender stems emerge each year, adorned with tough, bluish-green foliage that is quite charming. To successfully grow the caper bush in mild climates, plant it in full sun, in a rock garden or ideally on top of a dry-stone wall. It can be grown in a pot, but watering needs to be carefully managed.

Capparis spinosa is native to the Mediterranean basin and belongs to the Capparaceae family. It is distributed in an area ranging from the Atlantic coasts of the Canary Islands to Western Asia and North Africa. It is adapted to well-drained rocky soils, even soils becoming arid in summer. Most failures in cultivation can be attributed to excessive watering or soils retaining too much moisture. A mature plant can withstand short frosts of around -12°C (10.4°F) in dry soil. 

The Thornless Caper develops long spreading or trailing stems every spring, radiating from its thick stump. The plant has a slow growth rate. Over time, it forms a creeping tuft that will reach a minimum height of 50cm (20in) and a spread of 1.5m (5ft). The deciduous foliage and branches fade in autumn with the first frosts. The leaves are thick and leathery, with a rounded heart shape and a glaucous colour. They measure about 2 to 3cm (1in) in length. The flowering period is long in summer, starting in June and continuing until September. Rounded floral buds appear on the stems, at the axils of the leaves, carried by upright petioles. Each bud opens into an ephemeral flower of great beauty. The flower, composed of 4 large white or pinkish petals, measures 5 to 7cm (2 to 3in) in diameter. It opens widely to reveal a beautiful bouquet of long pink-purple stamens. After pollination by insects, fleshy, ovoid fruits form, measuring up to 5cm (2in) in length. They are edible and sometimes consumed like capers, known as caprons.

In addition to its culinary qualities, Capparis spinosa 'Inermis' is a beautiful plant for dry gardens, and one of the few that flowers throughout the summer in mild regions. Plant it in rocky soil, on top of a wall, in an elevated bed enriched with gravel, or in a rock garden. This plant does not like water, so the soil must be extremely well-drained to keep the stump dry. It can be paired with lavender, creeping rosemary, rockroses, and Globularia alypum to decorate arid and scorching areas. In a pot or hanging basket, use a light, well-draining substrate and do not water too often. Bring your potted plant indoors to protect it from frost in autumn.

Culinary note: capers are used in tapenade, ravigote or gribiche sauces. They also add flavour to Mediterranean cuisine, fish dishes (sea bream, ray wings), salads, pizzas, and steak tartare.