Acaena Coppercarpet

Description

Acaena ‘Copper Carpet’ – New Zealand burr

Botanical name: Acaena microphylla ‘Kupferteppich’
Common names: New Zealand burr, bidibid, ‘Copper Carpet’
Family: Rosaceae
Plant type: Evergreen perennial
Habit: Low, vigorous, mat-forming
Pot size: 1 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 5cm tall × 50–75cm spread (vigorous)
Foliage: Finely divided, coppery-bronze evergreen foliage that hugs the ground
Flowers: Insignificant flowers followed by spiny reddish burr-like seedheads in summer
Scent: Not scented
Aspect / light: Full sun to light shade
Soil: Well-drained; poor to average; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H5 (hardy, to about −15°C); USDA zones 6–8
Exposure: Open, sunny; tolerant
Native range: New Zealand
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Non-toxic, though the spiny burrs can catch in pet fur and clothing

Acaena ‘Copper Carpet’ is a vigorous, mat-forming evergreen groundcover with finely divided coppery-bronze foliage that hugs the ground, bearing reddish burr-like seedheads in summer. Ideal for paving, gravel and sunny banks where it has room to spread.

GardenAdvice notes

A low, ground-hugging evergreen from New Zealand, this acaena forms a dense carpet of ferny, coppery-bronze foliage that suppresses weeds and knits between paving. It is vigorous and spreading, valued for its unusual foliage colour and its toughness in hot, dry, well-drained situations — though it needs room, as it can cover a fair area.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in well-drained soil in full sun to light shade, where good light keeps the bronze foliage colour strong. It is ideal in gravel, between stepping stones, on sunny banks and in the cracks of paving. Space about 40cm apart, allowing for its spread.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. Water while establishing, then it is very drought-tolerant. Trim back or lift sections in spring to keep it within bounds, as it can spread enthusiastically. No feeding is needed; poor soil keeps it compact.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide, or detach naturally rooted stems, in spring or autumn and replant.
• Cuttings: Rooted pieces of stem can be lifted and potted on almost any time in the growing season.
• Seed: Can be raised from seed sown in spring.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free and pest-resistant. Its main drawback is vigour rather than any disease — it can outgrow its space, so site it where it can spread or be prepared to trim it back.

Uses in the garden

Excellent as weed-suppressing groundcover for sunny banks, gravel gardens, between paving and stepping stones, and tumbling over the edges of raised beds and walls.

Wildlife value

The dense evergreen mat provides ground-level cover and shelter for small invertebrates.

Toxicity & safety

Acaena is non-toxic, but be aware the spiny burr-like seedheads can catch in the fur of cats and dogs and in clothing, which can be a minor nuisance.

GardenAdvice tip

‘Copper Carpet’ is a real workhorse for covering ground fast, but give it space — it will happily spread three-quarters of a metre or more, so keep it away from choicer, slower alpines it could smother. If the burrs catching in the dog’s coat becomes a nuisance, a quick shear over after flowering removes most of them.

Our plants are guaranteed for 24 months for more details Click Here