Botanical name:

Acaena inermis Purpurea

Common name(s):

Purple Haze, bidibid, spineless bidibid

About:

This stunning native is perfect for ground cover or rock gardens. It features charming purple scalloped leaves that intensify in colour during summer, creating a striking visual effect when mass planted. A hardy, slow-spreading plant, it thrives in exposed conditions and poor soil, provided there is good drainage. Unlike most other Acaena species, its seed heads are smooth, without barbs or spines.

Natural habitat:

Montane riverbeds and tussock grassland.

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun, Wind, Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

Eastern South Island from Marlborough to Otago. Lowland to montane short dry tussock-land and turf, mainly in inland basins. In the drier parts of Central Otago it can be locally common especially in closely grazed non-improved pasture.

Height: 0.2m

Flowering: December with a coloured pink/Red flower. 

Fruiting: Unknown

Uses: Ground cover & container friendly.

How to grow:

Very easy from rooted pieces & easily increased by ripping the patch apart into small pieces in spring or early fall.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment