Scarlet bidibid
Acaena microphylla · Rosaceae
📷 Salicyna · CC BY-SA 4.0
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant scarlet bidibid: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Plant type
- Herbaceous perennial ground cover
- Foliage
- Evergreen, finely cut, gray-green
- Flowering
- June to July, small inconspicuous flowers
- Mature size
- 15-30 cm tall, spreading
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, zones 4-9
- Exposure
- Full sun to partial shade
- Origin
- New Zealand
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Acaena microphylla: moderate hardiness (-8°C), poor and ultra-draining soil, very little organic mulch (rot risk). Grow in rock gardens, pavers, or raised pots.
The common mistake
Enriching it with compost or generous mulching—the plant weakens and shows slow decline signs.
The pro's trick
Pinch back the tips in May to force denser, thicker coverage; it accumulates less debris and stays more compact.
Care
Exposure
Place your acaena in full sun for better foliage coloration. It tolerates partial shade but grows more densely in the sun. Bright exposure also strengthens the reddish tint of the leaves at the end of the season.
Watering
Water moderately after planting to establish roots well. Once established, acaena is very frugal and tolerates drought well. Water occasionally during prolonged heat or when grown in containers, but avoid excess moisture.
Soil
Acaena prefers well-drained soil, even poor or rocky soil. It dreads stagnant moisture and overly rich soils. Light, gravelly or sandy substrate suits its alpine nature perfectly.
Pruning and maintenance
Little pruning is needed. Cut back lightly in spring if the plant becomes too invasive or to rejuvenate the foliage. You can divide clumps in spring or fall to propagate it.
Fertilizing
Acaena requires no regular fertilizer. A light application of compost in spring is more than enough. Too much fertility slows growth and weakens foliage coloration.
Diseases and pests
Acaena is remarkably resistant. In overly moist soil, it may suffer from root rot. Otherwise, few phytosanitary problems. Plant it in well-drained soil to avoid any fungal issues.
Did you know?
The small-leaved acaena is native to the rocky highlands of New Zealand, where it naturally grows in tight cushions to resist wind. Its tiny spiky fruits, like little hedgehogs, readily catch on clothing and animal fur for dispersal — a tried-and-true travel strategy for millennia. In gardening, it's an excellent alpine ground cover, highly prized for rock gardens and Mediterranean gardens.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.