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Acaena buchananii

Acaena buchananii
Buchanan's Sheepburr, New Zealand Burr

4,5/5
5 reviews
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Standard but fast delivery. Cardboard in good condition and young plants very well conditioned. Have a good habit after a few days in the field of plants.

Francis, 20/10/2021

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This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty

More information

As an evergreen perennial, it forms a light and original carpet that creates a beautiful ground cover due to its dense foliage. Its fruits resemble small chestnuts with a brownish colour. It thrives in well-drained soil, healthy in winter and not too dry in summer. You can use it to highlight the border or replace the lawn in lightly trafficked areas.  
Flower size
5 mm
Height at maturity
5 cm
Spread at maturity
50 cm
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -23°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time February to March, September to October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November
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Flowering time May to June
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Description

The Acaena buchananii is a light and unique perennial ground cover plant. Its dense, evergreen silver-green foliage is adorned with inconspicuous flowers in spring, followed by attractive chestnut-like fruits in summer. Vigorous yet delicate and non-invasive, it can be tucked between paving stones, borders and effectively limits the growth of weeds once established. Thriving in a sunny rockery, this lovely ground cover plant is happy in well-drained soil that remains moist in winter and not too dry in summer.

Hailing from New Zealand, the Acaena or Buchanan's burr is the smallest in its genus. This perennial plant from the Rose family forms a dense and compact mat that reaches a height of 5 cm (2in) and spreads indefinitely over time. Its tiny leaves are compound and finely dissected into leaflets that do not exceed 3 mm (1in) in diameter. Its silver foliage is evergreen. Its leaves are carried by underground stems and roots, allowing it to cover the soil. In May-June, small white to greenish flowers appear in the form of tiny spheres. In July-August, countless curious fruits, globular and spiky without being prickly, emerge above the foliage and last for several weeks. These fruits attach to the hair of animals, spreading over long distances.

The Acaena buchananii is an adaptable plant that thrives in all types of soils in an alpine climate, but it is generally much less demanding to grow than strictly mountainous species. However, it does not tolerate very dry summers. Perfectly hardy, it is highly appreciated in rock gardens, as a border plant, or as a ground cover at the base of bushes accompanied by small spring bulbs and vibrant-colored grasses such as Imperata cylindrica 'Red Baron'. Paired with Kenilworth ivy (Cymbalaria muralis), it creates a romantic display in a trough or pot, effortlessly cascading over the edges. Teamed with small sedums, houseleeks, saxifrages, or small grasses, Acaena can also be used for green roofs or walls in cooler climates.

Acaena buchananii in pictures

Acaena buchananii (Foliage) Foliage
Acaena buchananii (Plant habit) Plant habit

Flowering

Flowering time May to June
Inflorescence Flower head

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour light green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 5 cm
Spread at maturity 50 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Acaena

Species

buchananii

Family

Rosaceae

Other common names

Buchanan's Sheepburr, New Zealand Burr

Origin

Oceania

Product reference807071

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Planting and care

The Acaena buchananii settles in well-drained, poor, fresh, rocky, and limestone soil with a sunny to slightly shaded exposure. The soil must not completely dry out in summer. Protect young plants from invading weeds, which could harm their establishment. On the other hand, when well established, this vigorous perennial is so dense that it stops weeds from spreading by preventing their seeds from reaching the soil to germinate. Optionally remove the creeping stems to restrict the plant's spread.

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Planting period

Best planting time February to March, September to October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery
Type of use Edge of border, Container, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -23°C (USDA zone 6a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 7 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, well-drained, rocky

Care

Pruning instructions Requires little care. Keep it under control by removing excess rooted stems.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time February to March
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
4,5/5
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