{"product_id":"blue-star-creeper-pratia-puberula","title":"Blue Star Creeper - Pratia puberula","description":"\u003cp\u003eBlue Star Creeper (\u003cem\u003ePratia puberula\u003c\/em\u003e) is a fast spreading Australian native groundcover that forms a dense, low carpet only about 10cm high and up to 1.5m wide. Through spring and summer the tiny round leaves almost disappear under masses of small, palest blue flowers. It is soft enough to stand in for lawn in a small area, and tough enough to take light foot traffic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA low native carpet.\u003c\/strong\u003e This Australian relative of lobelia hugs the ground at about 10cm and weaves into a dense mat of small, round leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFast to spread.\u003c\/strong\u003e It grows quickly and can cover up to 1.5m, so a few plants fill a surprising area within a season or two.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTakes light foot traffic.\u003c\/strong\u003e It stands up to the occasional footstep, which makes it suitable between stepping stones and alongside paved areas.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePale blue flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Masses of small flowers in palest blue appear through spring and summer, floating over the carpet of leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAt home in shade.\u003c\/strong\u003e It prefers cooler, shadier places and appreciates a little shade, which suits positions where lawn would struggle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBetween pavers and along paths.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 30cm apart in the gaps between stepping stones and pavers, or along path edges. It softens the hard lines and binds the gap within a season or two, as long as foot traffic stays light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRockeries and garden edging.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use it to fill spaces among rocks and to define the edge of a bed, where it spills over and can be trimmed back with shears.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAn ornamental lawn.\u003c\/strong\u003e In temperate climates it makes a soft, flowering lawn alternative for small areas that are walked on lightly. For a kick-around lawn, stay with turf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShady corners and under trees.\u003c\/strong\u003e It carpets cool, shaded ground where grass fails, and it needs far less attention than a lawn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Blue Star Creeper in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e It prefers cooler, shadier places, from dappled light to part shade, where it stays lush. It will survive full sun, but it looks best with some shade and needs extra water in hot, dry positions. It suits temperate climates best.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e A moisture holding soil with plenty of compost suits it. Mulch around new plants to keep the roots cool and moist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water well, regularly, until the plant is established, usually around 12 weeks. It prefers moist conditions, so water often during dry periods. It will survive drought, but it looks its best when kept moist. Fertilise in spring to encourage plenty of new growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e No formal pruning is needed. Trim the edges with shears once or twice a year to keep it off paths and out of neighbouring beds, because it spreads freely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Blue Star Creeper as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Tubes are the economical way to cover a large area, and the potted packs give faster cover for a path edge or a small lawn. At 30cm spacing, a pack of 10 covers roughly one square metre. Expect small plants with a few runners, because the carpet forms as they spread.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/groundcover\"\u003eBrowse more groundcovers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-partial-shade\"\u003ePlants for partial shade\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/the-best-ground-cover-plants-for-shade\"\u003eThe best groundcovers for shade\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/no-mow-grass-the-perfect-ground-cover-for-your-landscape\"\u003eLawn alternatives for Australian gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I walk on it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, lightly. It tolerates occasional foot traffic, so it suits stepping stone gaps and path edges, but it is not a replacement for a play lawn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow far apart should I plant it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant 30cm apart for a continuous carpet. Closer spacing is not necessary, because it spreads and fills the gaps itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it grow in full sun?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt will survive full sun, but it prefers cooler, shadier positions. In sun, water more often and mulch the soil.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67789628768575,"sku":"PRA-PUB-tube","price":13.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":67789628801343,"sku":"PRA-PUB-140MM-P10","price":130.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/blue-star-creeper-pratia-puberula.jpg?v=1792191892","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/blue-star-creeper-pratia-puberula","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}