Acaena saccaticupula Blue Haze

The Acaena 'Blue Haze' is a hybrid burr often considered a form of Acaena magellanica. This vigorous perennial ground cover is adorned with delicate pale grey-blue foliage that curiously stands upright in summer. An original and decorative fruiting follows its summer violet flower heads in the form of spiky red rounded fruit. This plant beautifully cascades from stone walls and decorates sunny borders with a lovely blue haze. It should be planted in well-drained soil in winter, not too dry in summer. 

Burr is a plant native to the southern Andes and subantarctic islands belonging to the Rose family. The 'Blue Haze' variety forms a dense 15 cm (6in) tall mat that can theoretically spread without limits. Its foliage is remarkable; composed and finely divided into leaflets not exceeding 5 mm (1in) in diameter, it sports a very soft bluish colour, resembling that of a burnet plant. It is evergreen in mild climates. Its leaves are carried by underground stems and roots, allowing it to spread over time. In June-July, small dense spike flower heads appear, composed of tiny flowers in the shape of small violet spheres. In autumn, countless curious small fruits, round and spiky without being prickly and of a lovely purplish pink hue, stand out above the foliage and last several weeks until the end of summer. If this attractive plant grows rapidly, it is not invasive as its expansion is easily controllable. Remove or replant the rooted stems elsewhere. 

The Acaena 'Blue Haze' thrives in almost all soils in alpine climates, but generally, it is much less demanding to grow than strictly mountain species. On the other hand, it does not tolerate very dry summers. Perfectly hardy, this elegant ground cover is highly appreciated in rock gardens, bordering flower beds, or for covering the base of bushes alongside the romantic Ivy-leaved Toadflax (Cymbalaria muralis). Acaena pairs well with small spring bulbs and vibrant-coloured grasses such as Red Baron Japanese Blood Grass (Imperata cylindrica). It can be easily grown in pots or containers, where it will gracefully spill over the edge. Acaena can also be used on roofs or green walls in cool climates when combined with small sedums, houseleeks, saxifrages, or small grasses.