|
Cotula
(Brass Buttons)
|
These small New
Zealand groundcovers are adaptable to a wide range of situations,
including rockeries, between pavers, bonsai understory, and hanging
baskets. The small leaves of most species are reminiscent of tiny
ferns, and provide a variety of textures and even a decent range of
color. Flowers are mostly inconspicuous, but scaled for a miniature
landcape. Most are reasonably cold-hardy, and this is aided by mulching
with evergreen branches. Cotulas are very under-utilized in the US,
while the less-interesting Baby's Tears are all the rage. Some Cotulas
are synonymous with Leptinella.
|
|
Cotula minor
|
Cotula
minor is the tiny emerald gem of the genus, with very small,
fernlike leaves forming a dense mat less than an inch high. The specimen
in the photo is in flower!. We weren't kidding about inconspicuous.
We use this species extensively in bonsai and miniature landscape work.
It's hardy outdoors in zone 7.
|
|
Cotula
purpusilla has purplish, grey-green and green fernlike foliage.
A sunny position brings out the grey and shade turns it greener. Somewhat
larger than C. minor and with more upright, more ferny foliage,
the two work well together in miniature landscapes or borders. SOLD
OUT
|
|
C. 'Pratt's Black' and C. rotundifolia |
Cotula
'Platt's Black' is slightly larger than the previous species, with
leves that tend to be emerald green toward the outside of the cluster,
and black toward the center. A very dramatic show for this modest genus.
Like all Cotulas, this one is quite vigorous, but shallow-rooted, so
easy to control. Zone 7.
|
|
At
the left edge of the above photo is another Cotula species, C.
rotundifolia. This is a most unusal leaf for the genus, being
undivided and almost succulent, with serrations around the edges of
the round leaf. The result is a completely different texture in a groundcover.
Hardiness uncertain, probably zone 8, possibly 7.
|
|
|
|