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Tiny fern-like foliage is smoky bronze purple with hints of green. An attractive ever-spreading soft mat will tolerate light foot traffic. Perfect for around stepping stones and as a groundcover. Quickly spreads by runners. Dark green flowers in early summer are the ‘buttons’.
This variety was formerly known as Cotula squalida, a.k.a. Creeping Cotula. Leptinella may tolerate more shade than shown.
Note: This is an archive page preserved for informational use. Cultural and Growing Info is provided below.
Minus icon Plant Type Perennials, Groundcovers
Minus icon Height Short 3"
Minus icon Spacing Plant 12" apart
Minus icon Bloom Time Early Summer to Mid-Summer
Minus icon Sun / Shade Full Sun to Half Sun / Half Shade
Minus icon Growing Zones 5-9
Minus icon Soil Type Normal, Acidic
Minus icon Water Needs Medium
Minus icon Sold In Plantable Pots (3.5x3.5x4")
Leptinella squalida 'Platt's Black'
Leptinella with its finely-cut lacy foliage resembles the tiniest ferns, but is actually a relative of the sunflower and the insignificant green button-shaped blooms look like the centers of sunflowers. Will die back in winter, but springs back to life in April to form a dense, lush groundcover.
Leptinella prefers a rich acidic soil. Shallow rooted, so occasional feeding is recommended. Plants will spread indefinitely by underground runners. Requires some moisture in well-drained soils – intolerant of drought.
Our plants are grown in 3.5x3.5x4” plantable pots. Made from 100% biodegradable coconut husk fibers (coir), these pots have tremendous advantages over plastic pots. With better air exchange, this "breathable" pot fosters robust root growth and reduces transplant shock since you can plant the pots directly in the ground. The pot naturally becomes part of the soil on its own over time—no composting required—and since they're made from a renewable resource that requires very little energy, they're earth-friendly too!
We offer a 100% guarantee for all our perennials to reach you in good condition and to grow. If you're not satisfied, we'll reship or refund immediately. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions or concerns—we share your passion for gardening and want your new plants to thrive in your border!
We use custom, earth-friendly packaging to make sure your order arrives in great condition, and we ship based on the best planting time for your growing zone (see the approximate dates below), unless otherwise indicated at checkout. If you wish, you can indicate a specific ship date during checkout.