In the case of this low growing lovely, Leptinella squalida Platt’s Black, is as tiny and ground hugging as they come.
This mat forming semi-evergreen forms dense carpets of purple-black feathery foliage with green tips and is happy planted in areas of high traffic. In other words, it will take being trodden on well!
Growing through pathways, between slabs, fluffy to the touch and pretty much indestructible Leptinella is the perfect substitute for ground hugging Thymes and Soleirolia soleirolii (Mind Your Own Business) in either sun or partial shade.
Planted in containers, it also makes a fantastic mat forming surface planted on its own or as ground cover beneath another plant. It spreads well but is not invasive.
We first used Leptinella in our Hampton Court Show garden to great effect in Corten steel planters that were almost at eye level in the sunken design of Foundations for Growth, designed and built by VARA Garden Design, winners of the Capel Manor Students Garden Design competition in 2015. What an introduction and it has proved popular ever since.
