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Caryophyllaceae
Heath Pearlwort
Sagina subulata
Tiny perfection in small spaces.
- Family
- Caryophyllaceae
- Genus
- Sagina
- Native to
- Europe
- Bloom season
- Late Spring, Summer
- Type
- evergreen perennial ground cover
- Height
- 2–5 cm
- Sunlight
- full sun to part shade
- Soil
- moist, well-drained, sandy
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- 4–8
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- Despite being called 'Irish moss,' Sagina subulata is neither Irish in origin nor a moss — it is a flowering plant.
- Its star-shaped flowers are only about 5 mm across, dotting the mat of green like miniature white stars.
- Heath pearlwort can be walked on lightly, making it popular as a living carpet between stepping stones.
- The name Sagina comes from Latin for 'fodder,' though sheep graze it only incidentally.
- It self-seeds readily into crevices between pavers, creating that coveted 'old garden' look naturally.
Color meanings
0
humility
1
delicate beauty
2
groundedness