Acanthophyllum cerastioides

BABY MOUSE EARS

Acanthophyllum cerastioides
BABY MOUSE EARS

Acanthophyllum cerastioides is a sweet, and rather cute groundcover.

Sweet & rather cute groundcover

This cute, carpeting groundcover is covered with sweet white, blushed palest pink flowers during spring and early summer.

Covers itself with palest pink cups

Acanthophyllum cerastioides literally covers itself with flowers – so you can’t fit a pin between them by early summer.
With each cupped flower also prominently veined with deep pink.
So it sparkles with blooms.

With leaves like mouse’s ears

But even when it is not in flower it is as “cute as a button”, because the tightly matted leaves are curled like downy mouse’s ears.

Grey-green groundcover of foliage

Foliage is velvety grey-green in colour – so making an attractive, evergreen groundcover year round.

Compact tight matting groundcover

Acanthophyllum cerastioides is such a compact growing plant, small and dense.
With a tight foliage mat only some 10cm. high, with the flowers atop at 15cm.
With diameter of about 30cm.

Perfect front edge, path border or feature in an urn

So it is perfect as a front edge; border along a path; or feature in an urn.
And looks wonderful mass planted under taller specimens or between rocks, as it gently creeps about amongst and between.

Spills over an edge elegantly

And will also spill thickly like a waterfall over a garden edge or side of a basket or pot.

Easy garden grower

Baby Mouse Ears likes plenty of sun and plenty of lime, but only requires moderate amounts of supplementary summer water.

Water-wise & sun loving

It is also tolerant of some dry periods in summer, once established, and enjoys well drained, and even sandy soil.

Unfussy in a wide range of soils

Though this plucky little “no-fuss” groundcover will cope in a wide range of soil conditions – from sandy to clay, as long as it is not waterlogged.

Rich in nectar & pollen for bees, butterflies & moths

The sweet flowers are full of nectar and pollen, and really attract beneficial pollinators into the garden.
So Acanthophyllum cerastioides is well worth planting as a border or pot in the veggie patch as a pollinator-magnet.

Rabbit & deer resistant

While rabbits and deer are not completely immune, Baby Mouse Ears is usually left low on their menu choice.

Quick & easy from seed to flower

Acanthophyllum cerastioides is a fast growing perennial groundcover, that is very easy and fast to raise from seed sowing to flowering.
Then it will delight you for many years.

Evergreen perennial 10-15cm. High with carpets of palest pink-white flowers x 30cm. Wide mat of dense, mouse ear shaped foliage.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY
Suits beginners & gardening with kids

Sow in either spring or autumn in cool or temperate areas.
Or in autumn in sub-tropical and tropical areas.

Can be sown directly into the soil outdoors
OR
Sown indoors in a punnet for maximum results, whenever suitable temperatures can be given (18-22°C).

Sow indoors for quick & early plants: First sow the seeds in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then gently pat the seeds to the surface to ensure good contact.
But only very lightly dust with sieved mix or fine vermiculite, but do not cover deeply, because these seeds need light to germinate.

And thoroughly moisten the punnet by standing it in a shallow water bath and allowing the moisture to percolate up to the surface from below.

Now place the sown punnet in a warm, well-lit place (not in any direct sunlight as this will dry the seeds out)

Temperatures of 18-22°C are best for optimum and rapid germination.
And it is fine to use a heat mat if you have one, as these seeds love warmth to germinate.

Continue to keep moist at all times by misting from a spray water bottle.
Covering the punnet with a clear plastic lid or bag will also help to maintain necessary consistent moisture.
But remove the cover as soon as sprouting begins.

Seeds begin to germinate in approx 7-14 days.

Prick out the seedlings quickly, as soon as they develop their first set of true leaves.
And pot into individual tubes or small pots to grow on ready to plant out in the garden.
These seeds are very quick and easy yo reach garden size.

Seed Count: 15 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the seed count and give a generous serve).

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