Species brass buttons
green leaves and green stem with yellow stamen

brass buttons

Leptinella squalida 'Platt's Black'

Brass Buttons (Leptinella squalida 'Platt's Black') is an attractive, low-maintenance perennial with evergreen foliage. Its mounding habit makes it a great choice for adding texture to borders, rock gardens, and container gardens. Although small, its bright green foliage contrasts nicely with its black-tipped flowering spikes. It blooms late spring to early summer and its flowers are followed by attractive seedheads. Its foliage is fragile and can be damaged by strong winds or heavy rain, so it may need protection in exposed locations. It's heat and drought tolerant and will thrive in a variety of soil types and exposure.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 10

Flowers:

Yellow Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,black

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Easy

watering

For best results, Brass Buttons (Leptinella squalida 'Platt's Black') should be watered regularly but not excessively. During the hot summer months, aim to give the plants a thorough water once a week. During the cooler months, water only when the soil feels dry to the touch. In drier climates, extra water may be needed to sustain the plant, especially during the summer months. When you water, be sure to saturate the entire root system thoroughly. Over-watering should be avoided, as the plant tends to suffer from soggy soil, causing root rot.

sunlight

Brass buttons (Leptinella squalida 'Platt's Black') require a minimum of 4-5 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal growth. This species can tolerate partial shade, however the most vibrant foliage and flowers will occur during periods of full sun. When planting, choose a spot in your garden with a good mix of direct sun and partial shade. If the plant receives too much direct sun, especially during the heat of the day, the leaves may become scorched, so try to place the plant in a protected area to avoid leaf burn.

pruning

When it comes to pruning Brass Buttons (Leptinella squalida 'Platt's Black') plants, it is best to do a light pruning just after the flowering period. This will help to keep the plant looking neat and tidy and keep it well maintained. It is best to simply take off any brown or withered foliage, and also cut off any stems that are looking too unruly. This will help to keep the shrub healthy and encourage more growth. If a more hard pruning is required, such as topping, it is best to do this in late winter when the plant is in its dormant state. It is also a good idea to prune away any brown or dead foliage that has been affected by the winter. This way, the plant will have a good chance of recovering and growing new, fresh foliage.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Leptinella squalida 'Platt's Black' typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Leptinella squalida 'Platt's Black' typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map