Acaena microphylla 'Kupferteppich'

RHS Plant Profile

New Zealand bur 'Kupferteppich'

Synonyms

Acaena 'Purple Carpet'
Acaena microphylla Copper Carpet

Herbaceous Perennial

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A vigourous, mat-forming, evergreen perennial. It's pinnate, bronze-green leaves are divided into 9-15 rounded leaflets. Reddish-brown, spherical flowers in June and July are followed by bright red burrs which last until autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: North–facing or South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed
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): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Matforming
Potentially harmful: Pets (dogs) - Burrs can irritate skin
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: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

May be a nuisance plant. Tolerates trampling/foot traffic so suitable for planting between paving stones. Grow in well-drained soil, in sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by division in early spring. Seeds can be sown in an open cold frame or greenhouse in autumn or spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
Banks and slopes
Ground cover

Pruning

Stems root freely-pull them out to restrict spread.

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free