groundcover

Bidibid

Acaena anserinifolia

The Story

Plant Bio

Acaena anserinifolia is a creeping, mat-forming perennial subshrub with rooting stolons that spreads to form a dense groundcover up to three feet wide. The pinnate foliage consists of small, sharply toothed, blue-green leaflets with silvery undersides and distinct hair tufts at the tips.

In late spring, tiny apetalous flower globes with white anthers appear above the foliage, ripening into spiky, barbed fruiting burs that catch easily on fur and clothing. The creeping, reddish-brown stems root continuously at the nodes as they expand, anchoring the mat across sloping or rocky terrain.

Uses & Benefits:

Forms a dense blue-green carpet with silvery leaf undersides and spiky decorative burs.

Functions as a low-growing, low-maintenance groundcover for rockeries and embankments.

Stabilizes loose surface soil on slopes through its extensive nodal rooting system.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Groundcover

Height

Width

39"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

7, 8, 9

Water

Low to Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

New Zealand

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Late spring – Mid summer

In flower about 3 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a site with full sun or partial shade in well-draining soil to prevent root rot.
Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart to allow creeping stolons room to spread.
Water moderately during the first growing season until root networks establish.
Trim perimeter stolons in early spring if the mat begins to encroach on adjacent low-growing plants.

Pro Tip

Avoid cutting back into old, leafless woody stems at the base of the mat, as growth fails to regenerate from bare wood.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in sharply draining soil or coarse grit.
Trim outer stolons to keep growth within intended garden bounds.

Don't

Do not over-fertilize, as high soil fertility causes weak, leggy stems.
Avoid planting in heavy clay or waterlogged soils.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Pest Check
Propagate
Prune
Spring Cleanup

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

GroundcoverRock GardenErosion ControlCoastal Garden

Companion Plants

Thymus serpyllum Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Sedum Campanula

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Bidibid questions

What zones can Bidibid grow in?

Bidibid is hardy in USDA Zones 7–9: in that range it survives winter in the ground. Colder than Zone 7, grow it in a container you can move to shelter for the winter, or as an annual. Warmer than Zone 9, winter isn't the problem: it prefers colder winters, and summer heat can shorten its life.

Is Bidibid deer resistant?

Yes — Bidibid is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Bidibid bloom?

Bidibid typically blooms from late spring to mid-summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Bidibid need full sun?

Bidibid does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Bidibid drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Bidibid handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.