Leptinella
Brass buttons
- Height × spread
- 0.1m – 0.4m × 0.2m – 0.3m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There are around 30 species of these small plants. They are found growing in South America and Australasia. A few forms are grown in gardens. These are generally used on rock gardens or raised beds and can be used to grow over paving or between cracks. They usually have a creeping growth habit and may even have delicately dissected leaves. The unusual 'Platt's Black' combines feathery foliage with brown foliage. The flowers are truly minute and lack petals. These plants are generally 15 to 20 cm in height but there are a couple of giants - Lonicera atrata with its ferny looking leaves reaches up to 40 cm. These are not likely to be hardy throughout the UK. They can be difficult to grow well as they enjoy moist soil that can be difficult to find in a rock garden.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Blue, Brown, Green, Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Prostrate
- Height
- 0.1m – 0.4m
- Spread
- 0.2m – 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Gravel garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.