25x Purple Piri Piri - $4.99 each
Acaena inermis ‘Purple’
Common names: Purple Acaena, Purple Sheep’s Burr (spineless form)
Family: Rosaceae
Origin: New Zealand
Plant Type: Evergreen Groundcover / Mat-forming Perennial
Overview
Acaena inermis ‘Purple’ is a striking NZ native groundcover valued for its rich purple foliage and dense, carpet-forming habit. Unlike many acaena species, ‘inermis’ is spineless, making it a tidy, non-invasive option for rockeries, borders, paths, and contemporary landscapes. Its dramatic colour provides year-round contrast with almost zero maintenance.
Key Features
Foliage: Deep purple to bronze-purple fern-like leaves forming a tight, spreading mat; colour intensifies in cooler months.
Flowers / Fruit: Small, inconspicuous flowers in summer; produces burrs that are soft and spineless (non-prickly).
Form & Habit: Fast-spreading but low and tidy; forms a dense carpet ideal for covering bare areas.
Growth Rate: Moderate to fast.
Cultural & Ecological Value: Useful for erosion control, weed suppression, and low-maintenance landscaping; provides groundcover habitat for insects.
Mature Size
| Attribute | Size |
|---|---|
| Height | 5–10 cm |
| Spread | 50–80 cm (can spread further in ideal conditions) |
| Form | Dense, flat, mat-forming groundcover |
Ideal Growing Conditions
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Light | Full sun for best purple colouring; tolerates light shade |
| Water | Low; drought-tolerant once established |
| Soil | Prefers free-draining sandy or gravelly soils; dislikes wet or boggy sites |
| pH Range | Neutral to slightly acidic |
| Frost Tolerance | Hardy; tolerates frost and exposed conditions |
Landscaping & Garden Uses
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Superb groundcover for rock gardens and sunny slopes
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Excellent weed-suppressing carpet for difficult dry sites
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Provides dramatic colour contrast in native or modern plantings
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Great around stepping stones, pavers, and paths
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Ideal companion to flaxes, grasses, libertia, hebe, and silver/grey foliage plants
Care & Maintenance
Pruning: Trim lightly to control spread if needed.
Watering: Water while establishing; very low water needs once mature.
Feeding: Rarely required; optional light spring feed in poor soils.
Pests & Diseases: Generally pest-free; ensure good drainage to prevent root issues.
Additional Tips
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Colour darkens in cool weather—an excellent winter feature.
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Avoid waterlogged soils to maintain dense, healthy growth.
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Can be used as a “living mulch” due to its dense, weed-suppressing form.
Fun Fact / Botanical Insight
The name inermis means “unarmed,” referring to this acaena’s unusual trait of producing spineless burrs, making it far more garden-friendly than many other species.
Why Choose Acaena inermis ‘Purple’?
A stunning, low-care groundcover offering rich purple foliage, fast coverage, and year-round visual appeal—perfect for modern, dry, and low-maintenance gardens.
Pot Size: These are our standard size in 7cm square pots.
Pot Size:
Standard Pot = 7cm Square
Large Pot = 9cm Square
Extra Large Pot = 1.5L Round
Use this guide to see how many plants of your selected pot size fit into a half or full carton.
Standard Pot = 25 plants per Carton
Large Pot= 10 plants per Carton
Extra Large Pot = 5 plants per Carton
Urban- $16.55 per Carton Rural- $23.85 per Carton
Standard Pot = 50 plants per Carton
Large Pot= 25 plants per Carton
Extra Large Pot = 10 plants per Carton
Urban- $16.55 per Carton Rural- $23.85 per Carton
Product Size:
The photo next to the ruler shows an example of the plant for sale (cm's) to give an indication of the size. Please note that the photo is for reference only; the size and appearance of the plant may vary.
Please Note:
Shipping charge applies. Available for immediate dispatch only, while stocks last.
