Acaena buchananii

The Acaena buchananii is a light and unique perennial ground cover plant. Its dense, evergreen silver-green foliage is adorned with inconspicuous flowers in spring, followed by attractive chestnut-like fruits in summer. Vigorous yet delicate and non-invasive, it can be tucked between paving stones, borders and effectively limits the growth of weeds once established. Thriving in a sunny rockery, this lovely ground cover plant is happy in well-drained soil that remains moist in winter and not too dry in summer.

Hailing from New Zealand, the Acaena or Buchanan's burr is the smallest in its genus. This perennial plant from the Rose family forms a dense and compact mat that reaches a height of 5 cm (2in) and spreads indefinitely over time. Its tiny leaves are compound and finely dissected into leaflets that do not exceed 3 mm (1in) in diameter. Its silver foliage is evergreen. Its leaves are carried by underground stems and roots, allowing it to cover the soil. In May-June, small white to greenish flowers appear in the form of tiny spheres. In July-August, countless curious fruits, globular and spiky without being prickly, emerge above the foliage and last for several weeks. These fruits attach to the hair of animals, spreading over long distances.

The Acaena buchananii is an adaptable plant that thrives in all types of soils in an alpine climate, but it is generally much less demanding to grow than strictly mountainous species. However, it does not tolerate very dry summers. Perfectly hardy, it is highly appreciated in rock gardens, as a border plant, or as a ground cover at the base of bushes accompanied by small spring bulbs and vibrant-colored grasses such as Imperata cylindrica 'Red Baron'. Paired with Kenilworth ivy (Cymbalaria muralis), it creates a romantic display in a trough or pot, effortlessly cascading over the edges. Teamed with small sedums, houseleeks, saxifrages, or small grasses, Acaena can also be used for green roofs or walls in cooler climates.