Acaena microphylla
Acaena microphylla
Acaena microphylla
Acaena microphylla
Acaena microphylla
Acaena microphylla
Acaena microphylla
New Zealand Bur, New Zealand Burr, Rosy-spined New Zealand Bur, Small-leafed Burr
Very beautiful and original ground cover with unique flowering
Jerome , 27/06/2025
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Description
The Acaena microphylla, also known as the small-leafed burr, is a small, vigorous, light, original perennial ground cover plant with tiny bronze sorrel-like foliage that turns green and coppery as it matures. It is covered in summer with small greenish globular flowers followed by attractive dark pink spiky fruits in autumn. Delicate but not invasive, this effective ground cover can be used between paving stones, as a border highlight or as a substitute for a lawn in lightly trafficked areas. Very pleasant in a sunny rockery, this little plant thrives in well-drained soil, healthy in winter and not too dry in summer.
Native to the meadows of New Zealand, this burr is one of the smallest in its genus. This perennial of the rose family forms a dense cushion measuring 30 cm (12in) wide, with pale green compound leaves finely divided into leaflets not exceeding 3 mm (1in) in diameter. Its foliage is evergreen in mild climates. Its leaves are carried by underground stems and roots, allowing it to spread over time. In June-July, small white to greenish flowers appear in small spheres. In autumn, countless curious fruits, globular and spiky but not prickly and of a lovely dark pink shade, stand out above the foliage and last several weeks until the end of summer. Fruits attach to animals' hair, promoting dispersion over long distances.
The small-leafed burr is a plant that thrives in almost any type of soil in alpine climates, but it is generally much less demanding to grow than strictly mountain species. However, it does not tolerate very dry summers at all. Perfectly hardy, Acaena microphylla is highly appreciated in rockeries, as a border plant or as a ground cover at the base of bushes accompanied by small spring bulbs and colourful grasses such as Imperata cylindrica Red Baron. It also grows well in containers or pots, where it will easily spill over. Acaena can also be used on a green roof or living wall in cool climates when combined with small sedums, houseleeks, saxifrages or small grasses.
Acaena microphylla in pictures
Flowering
Foliage
Plant habit
Botanical data
Acaena
microphylla
Rosaceae
New Zealand Bur, New Zealand Burr, Rosy-spined New Zealand Bur, Small-leafed Burr
Oceania
Planting and care
Acaena microphylla is a robust perennial plant that thrives in well-draining soil, including poor, fresh, rocky, and even limestone soil, with a sunny to slightly shaded exposure. During the initial stages of planting, it is essential to protect the young plants from weeds, which could impede their growth and establishment. Once it has developed, the plant is so dense that it prevents the growth of other plants by obstructing their seeds from germinating. It is best to remove the creeping stems to limit the plant's spread. Additionally, the soil should not completely dry out during summer.
Planting period
Intended location
Care
Planting & care advice
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Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
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In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a (East Coast and Midlands: Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny, Portlaoise). It will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the north-west (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal, Westport), delay planting by 1 to 2 weeks in spring and bring it forward by 1 to 2 weeks in autumn compared to the dates given, preferably choosing periods without strong winds.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (Wicklow Mountains, Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Connemara, Killarney), it is best to plant in spring (April–May) or autumn (September–October), avoiding periods of waterlogged soil in winter and strong winds, which pose the main risk to newly planted trees in these areas.
The flowering period indicated on our website applies to regions in USDA Zone 9a, such as the East Coast and Midlands, including Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny and Portlaoise.
This will vary depending on where you live:
- On the west coast and in the northwest (Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Donegal and Westport), it will be delayed by one to two weeks compared to the given dates, due to stronger Atlantic winds and less spring sunshine.
- In the inland hills and plateaus (the Wicklow Mountains, the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Connemara and Killarney), flowering will be delayed by two to three weeks. Flowering mainly occurs between May and July, with the limiting factors being less frost and more of the excessive humidity, strong winds and lack of sunshine that are characteristic of these areas.