Leptinella 'Platt's Black'

Leptinella 'Platt's Black' – A Striking Tapestry of Dark Foliage

Introduce the unique charm of Leptinella 'Platt's Black' to your garden, a distinctive groundcover known for its intriguing color and texture. This variety of Leptinella, often referred to as Brass Buttons due to its small, button-like flowers, features dark, feathery foliage that adds an element of depth and mystery to any garden space.

Product Characteristics:

• Height: Grows to a modest height of about 2-5 cm, forming a tight, low mat that hugs the ground.
• Spread: Spreads quickly to cover a width of approximately 30-45 cm, ideal for filling gaps between stepping stones or creating a unique groundcover.
• Leaf Colour: Showcases fine, fern-like foliage in shades of deep green to nearly black, providing a dramatic contrast to lighter plants or bright flowers.
• Flowering Period: Produces tiny, yellow-green flowers in late spring to early summer, which are often subtle and overshadowed by the striking foliage.
• Foliage: The dark, almost black leaves are evergreen in milder climates, offering year-round visual interest.
• Sunlight Requirements: Performs best in full sun to partial shade. Full sun intensifies the dark color of the foliage.
• Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained soil but is quite adaptable to various soil types, including sandy and clay soils, as long as they are not overly wet.

Uses and Benefits: Leptinella 'Platt's Black' is exceptionally versatile and can be used as an alternative to traditional lawn grass, between paving stones, or in rock gardens. Its dense mat-forming habit not only adds visual appeal but also helps suppress weeds and stabilize the soil in trafficked areas. The unique coloration of the foliage makes it a popular choice for gothic or moon gardens where its dark tones provide a striking nighttime appearance.

Companion Plants: Pair 'Platt's Black' with plants that highlight its dark foliage:

• Sedum 'Angelina': The bright yellow to chartreuse foliage of 'Angelina' contrasts sharply with the dark tones of Leptinella.
• Silver Mound Artemisia: The silvery leaves offer a light, textural contrast.
• Heuchera varieties: With their palette of colors, Heucheras can draw attention to the dark foliage of 'Platt's Black'.

Care Instructions: Plant in an area with suitable sun exposure to enhance the dark coloring of the foliage. Ensure the planting site has good drainage to prevent waterlogging, which Leptinella does not tolerate well. Water regularly during dry periods to keep the soil evenly moist. This plant is generally low-maintenance, requiring only occasional trimming to keep it contained within a desired area.

History: Leptinella 'Platt's Black' is a cultivated variety selected for its unique aesthetic appeal and robustness, making it a newer favorite among garden designers and homeowners looking for an alternative groundcover.

Final Thoughts: Leptinella 'Platt's Black' provides an excellent opportunity to add unusual textures and colors to your garden. Whether used to fill small gaps in a rock garden, create a low-maintenance carpet beneath perennial beds, or accent hardscaped areas, 'Platt's Black' is sure to capture attention with its dark beauty and practical garden performance.