Scleranthus uniflorus Bronze

Scleranthus uniflorus 'Bronze' is a curious little perennial plant that grows a bit like a bronze-coloured moss carpet, but in sunny or semi-shaded areas. It can cover small surfaces in a unique way. Plant it in a zen or Japanese-style setting, a moist rock garden by the edge of a water body, a miniature garden, or at the base of a larger plant in a flower pot or planter. It is a hardy New Zealand plant, attractive all year round, but it has some requirements. It will only thrive in consistently moist but well-drained, fertile, light, and slightly acidic soil.
 

Scleranthus uniflorus is native to New Zealand. It belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family, just like carnations. The 'Bronze' variety only differs from it by the colour of its foliage, which is tinted with beautiful bronze shades. It first develops into a low and very dense cushion 5cm (2in) in height, then spreads to reach a diameter of about 80cm (32in) in the space of 5 years. With time, the cushion tends to rise up to 10 to 15cm (4 to 6in) off the ground, forming lovely mounds. Its foliage is tiny. It is composed of countless leaves gathered in clusters along very short stems. In May-June, the stems bear inconspicuous white-yellowish to greenish flowers. The foliage persists all year round, even in periods of frost.

Scleranthus uniflorus likes humid and gently sunny climates and moist rock gardens. Perfectly hardy, this elegant ground cover is highly appreciated in zen or Japanese-inspired settings. It is ideal for providing a mossy look to large round stones near a small waterfall, for example. It can also be planted by the edge of a stone staircase or a gravel path, or in original containers (copper, zinc) on a patio, according to each gardener's desires. It can be planted with Imperata cylindrica 'Red Baron', or ornamental horsetails (Equisetum japonicum or E. hyemale), planted in buried pots to limit their growth.