Acaena saccaticupula
blue goose leaf
A vigorous, evergreen perennial producing pinnate leaves, to 8cm long, grey-blue with 9-13 leaflets. Spherical white flowerheads are followed by dark red burrs to 2cm across, with pinkish-red spines in midsummer
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Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cmTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue Grey Silver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Blue Grey Silver | Red | |
| Autumn | Blue Grey Silver | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Matforming
- Genus
Acaena can be evergreen perennials or subshrubs with pinnate leaves with dentate leaflets. Tiny flowers are carried in a dense rounded head or spike, followed by attractive burr-like fruiting heads
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- New Zealand
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in any well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Useful ground cover between paving stones as it tolerates being trodden on but in borders its creeping habit means it can spread. This plant is listed on Schedule 9 of The Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order (1985), as amended, as an invasive non-native species. While this does not prevent it from being sold or being grown in gardens in Northern Ireland, the RHS encourages those that do grow it to take great care with managing it and with disposing of unwanted material. The RHS also encourages gardeners in Northern Ireland to find alternative plants to grow to those listed on Schedule 9. For suggested alternative plants see the Plantlife/RHS guide, Gardening without harmful invasive plants
Propagation
Propagate by division, or propagate by seed sown in containers in an open frame in autumn. Alternatively propagate by softwood cuttings in late spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Gravel garden
- Rock garden
- Banks and slopes
- Ground cover
Pruning
Pull out rooted stems to restrict its spread
Pests
Generally pest free
Diseases
Generally disease free
Get involved
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