The brown-red prickly nut is a groundcover that is also called copper carpet because of its carpet-like growth and the strong colour.
The brown-red prickly nut (Acaena microphylla) is a lush growing ground cover that can form dense carpets within a short time, which also earned it the nickname copper carpet. The perennial and easy-care plants become an eye-catcher in late summer with their prickly nuts. If you want a robust and attractive plant that forms a dense carpet of leaves that you can even walk on, the brown-red prickly nut is a good choice.
Copper Carpet Origin
The spherical infructescence gives the brown-red prickly nut its name. The rose family is native to the southern hemisphere. The plant is mainly found in Australia and New Zealand, where the prickly nut can be found on loose meadows.
Some species are also native to California or Hawaii, and thus to the northern hemisphere. The prickly nuts spread the plants themselves by clinging to sheep's wool or other merchandise.
In Great Britain, some species have multiplied rapidly and are leading to the displacement of the native flora. The bidibib, a prickly nut from New Zealand, has settled in the English coastal dunes and annoys bathers there by sticking to clothing.
The "Copper Carpet" variety described here was bred in 1971. The copper-red prickly nut grows preferably in New Zealand in mountainous landscapes and on loose soil.
| Brown-red prickly nut / copper carpet (Acaena microphylla) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | carpet-like, mat-like, runner-forming |
| Growth: | 5 - 10 cm |
| Growth: | 20 - 30 cm |
| Flower: | June - July |
| Location: | Sun to partial shade |
| Floor: | dry to fresh, well-drained, low in nutrients |
Plant brown-red prickly nutlet
➔ Find the right location
The brown-red prickly nut can be placed in a sunny spotto be planted. The undemanding plant is also suitable for the rock garden or gravel beds. The rose family also thrives in partial shade.
There are many possible combinations in the bed. The brown-red prickly nut gets along with tulips, daffodils and other colorful bulbs. In the rock garden, the rose plant can be kept company by other carpet-forming perennials, such as bear's beard or chasteberry.
» Tip: Planting in beds is done in small groups. If the prickly nut is to be cultivated as ground cover, it is planted in larger groups.
➔ Choosing the ideal substrate
The plants thrive best in a fresh and well drained soil. The nutrient requirement is classified as low. A heavy soil is not tolerated. Therefore, the substrate should be processed accordingly. Mixing it with sand, gravel or mature compost improves soil quality. Waterlogging must never occur.
➔ Planting the brown-red prickly nutlet - step by step
- Select Location
- Prepare the ground
- Water plant
- Dig planting holes
- Note planting distances
- Insert plant
- Fill substrate
- Press the earth well
- Water the plant
If you want a dense cushion as quickly as possible, the planting distance should be about 20 centimetres. If the plants are to grow individually and form a pretty group planting, a distance of at least 30 centimeters must be maintained.
After planting, the prickly nut is well watered. Work with a fine jet that is aimed directly at the ground and does not damage or wash out the young plants. The entire planting environment should be consistently watered after a new planting.
➔ Water the brown-red prickly nut properly
While the young plants have to be watered intensively, older brown-red prickly nuts also tolerate longer periods of drought. If the upper parts of the plant appear to have dried up, there will usually be a new shoot with sufficient watering. waterlogginghowever, the plants do not tolerate it. Affected prickly nuts will no longer recover and will die.
➔ Fertilize the brown-red prickly nut properly
The nutrient requirement of the rose family is low. When planting in normal garden soil, additional fertilization is usually not required. Mature compost can be mixed in when planting. This loosens the soil and can also supply the plants with nutrients if required.
➔ Cut the Brown-Red Prickly Nut
Regular pruning is not required. Even in autumn, the plants should not be cut back close to the ground. The reddish foliage and the brown-red nutlets are a pretty eye-catcher in the winter garden. Therefore, dead plant parts should only be cut in early spring.
Almost 60 species are listed in the prickly nut plant genus. Most plants grow persistently. Some are not ground covers, but grow as a subshrub. These prickly nuts have a stalk that becomes lignified over time. This is where the annual new shoots take place. Pretty plant neighbors of the brown-red prickly nut are, for example, the white-flowering "Dichte Matte" or the green-leaved selection "Grüner Zwerg".Spread Brown-Red Prickly Nut
The rose plants themselves take care of the propagation. The spines of the spherical fruits stick to the fur of animals and can therefore be carried over long distances.
» Tip: The small spiked bristles have barbs, but cannot sting or injure us humans.
The hobby gardener can propagate the brown-red prickly nut by runners or by sowing. Foothills are simply separated and replanted at the desired location. When sowing, it is important to note that these are cold germs. The seeds would not sprout if they were not given special treatment. In order to be stimulated to germinate, these plants need a cold stimulus.
First, the seeds are cultivated at room temperature for about a month. The plant bowl then goes into the refrigerator for four to six weeks. Temperatures between +4 and -4 degrees are needed to stimulate germination.
Brown-Red Prickly Nut - Diseases and Pests
The "copper carpet" is usually spared from pests and special plant diseases. The biggest enemy of plants is waterlogging. If the soil is enriched with water, the roots can no longer absorb oxygen. It comes torotting of the roots. The absorption of nutrients is completely prevented and the prickly nuts give the impression of being dried up.
If the plant is cultivated in a bucket, the risk of waterlogging is particularly high. This can be countered by installing a drainage system made of gravel or clay granules. This allows the irrigation water to drain off better.
Brown-red pricklynut overwintering
The brown-red prickly nut is very hardy. The foliage left on the plant provides adequate protection. Cold frosts could be dangerous for the plants. Covering it with leaves or twigs will prevent this.
» Tip: If the plants appear frozen after the winter, do not dispose of them, the prickly nut will usually sprout again.