Capparis spinosa

RHS Plant Profile
common caper

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Other common names

caper

Shrubs
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A tender, sprawling, shrub to 1m tall, bearing round, grey-green leaves to 4cm across. In summer it produces flowers comprised of four white petals surrounding a tuft of white to pink stamens. The unopened flower buds are pickled or salted and eaten as capers, as are the long-stalked, olive-shaped berries (caperberries)

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1C

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Capparaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
A genus of flowering shrubs or lianas more commonly known as caper shrubs or caper bushes. Plants have fleshy leaves and white to pinkish-white flowers. The flower buds (capers) and fruit (caper berries) are both edible and are usually pickled
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
S Eurasia, Australia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based compost with added extra grit. Water moderately during the growing season and apply a high potash fertiliser monthly; water sparingly in winter

Propagation

Propagate by seed soaked in warm water for 2-3 days prior to sowing, at a temperature of 18-21°C. Germination is slow and erratic

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Edible fruit

Pruning

See pruning group 6

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free