Platt's Black Brass Buttons with purple-black fern-like foliage.
Platt's Black Brass Buttons with purple-black fern-like foliage.
All media depicts mature plants.

'Platt's Black' Brass Buttons (Leptinella)

Perennial

  • Irresistible texture.
  • Unique color.
  • Fast growing ground cover.
  • Keeps out weeds.
  • Small yellow flowers in early summer.
  • Zones 5-9, sun/part sun, 3″ tall x 12″ wide at maturity.
  • ZONE
  • EXPOSURE
  • Low heightHEIGHT

More info on plant sizes

Size: One Quart
$22.00
Sale: $22.00 Each
Total: $22.00
Shipping calculated at checkout.
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Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee
Hand-Picked at Our Greenhouse
Shipped to Your Door
Arrives as a Young Plant
60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee

Description

Looking for a ground cover that’s anything but ho-hum? That describes ‘Platt’s Black’ to a T! Also known as brass buttons (due to its little rounded blooms) and creeping cotula, this unique mat-forming plant contributes texture and color that’s unlike anything else you’ll find. Imagine walking on a carpet of this soft, fern-like foliage with bare feet – it’s incredibly inviting and touchable. This particular selection sports an appealing purple-black hue that is perfect for mixing in with other ground covers or growing on its own. Highly effective around stepping stones and pathways and very nice in rock gardens and containers.

Details

Botanical name:  Leptinella 'Platt's Black'
Common name: Brass Buttons
Zone: 5 – 9
Sun exposure: Sun to part shade
Height x width: 1-3" X 10-12"
Flower color: Yellow
Foliage color: Greenish Black
Season of interest: Summer
Bloom time: Early summer, midsummer
Features: Rare & unusual, heat tolerant, ground covers, evergreens, suitable for slopes
Uses: Alpine & rock, Container gardening, edging, ground cover, rock garden, small spaces, under planting

How to Grow

Soil: Easily grown in average, medium to moist, well-drained soil.
Light: Full sun to part shade
Water: Average to moist
Spacing: 12 inches
Fertilizing: Little needed. Scatter a granular garden fertilizer in early spring if desired.
Winterizing: Nothing special required.
Maintenance & pruning: Will tolerate an occasional mowing. Can be divided in spring or fall.

Ground Covers For Suppressing Weeds

Ground covers effortlessly fill those tough-to-grow sites that are usually ignored, like tight spaces, gaps between stepping stones, slopes, or shady understories. Fight plants with plants and transform your garden into a lush landscape in the process with these ground covers.

Learn more

Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:

bush distance

Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:

bush distance zigzag

Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.

Plant Spacing Calculator

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  • 5 stars: 2 (50%)
  • 4 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 1 (25%)
  • 1 star: 1 (25%)
R
R.W.

I was very impressed with my order. It shipped lightening fast. The plant was very secured in the shipping container without needing to be covered in all that annoying cotton batting. I would go so far as to say easily some of the most secured shipping I've had buying plants online in the years I've been doing it. My brass buttons are extremely healthy. Very full and exactly as advertised. 10/10 would recommend.

S
S.B. (Illinois)
Just not making it

Adorable little plant. Arrived just fine- it's just not making it. I think I'm 10 days past my 60 day guarantee- I wish I would have realized that sooner. I've been working so hard to get these to grow. They aren't dead, but they aren't thriving. I know they won't make it to next season. Don't make my mistake- try ONE the first season...not 11! ( I had high hopes!)

I'm so sorry to hear about your plants! Do reach out to customer service at [email protected] with photos of the plants and let us double check the guarantee and see what we can do.

D
D.B. (Florida)
Just didn't make it.

Received the plants and they were slimy. Died shortly after. Not recommended.

We've got you covered with our 60-day guarantee. We guarantee that you will be satisfied with your purchase and that your plants will arrive healthy, free of pests and diseases, and true to name. Have a problem with your plant? We make it easy to place a claim via email, automated claim process, or use the chat bubble. Simply send us a photo of your plant, your order number, and a brief description of the problem within 60 days of receipt of your order. While we do not accept returns, we are happy to issue refunds. Refunds are based on the plant cost and do not include shipping charges. Allow up to 2 weeks for processing refunds. After 60 days, we cannot be responsible for the plants in your care and will not cover problems with overwintering, animals, insects, diseases, improper planting, drought, flooding, poor drainage, etc. Our goal is that you are successful with our plants (and gardening in general), so our expert staff is here to assist you with any problem you may experience. Any plant shipped dormant in spring is guaranteed to break dormancy, even if it takes longer than 60 days.
Please note: our guarantee does not cover plants grown outside of their recommended growing zones. Verify your USDA zone by clicking 'Growing Zone' in the site navigation and entering your zip code before purchasing.

S
S.S.F. (Oregon)
Customer Service Rocks!

A couple of months ago, a very late season order of mine arrived in very poor condition, actually dead. I sent email back to the company asking if anything could be done. Very, Very quickly customer service responded saying that there were no more plants available of the type I'd purchase and suggesting I identify a different kind of plant which they'd be pleased to substitute for my loss. I'm very happy to reply that the substituted plants are beautiful and growing well. Thanks for great work!--Susan

A
A.

Is it Deer and Rabbit resistent?

Great Garden Plants

Unfortunately, the 'Platt's Black' Brass Buttons is not deer or rabbit resistant. View our deer and rabbit resistant plants collections here:
https://www.greatgardenplants.com/collections/deer-resistant
https://www.greatgardenplants.com/collections/rabbit-resistant

D
D.c.

Is the platt black poison to animals?

Great Garden Plants

For safety reasons, it's best to contact your veterinarian for all questions about plant toxicity and animals.

C
C.

7b & down to 5 F last winter here. Freezes some years in December. Is it too late to order/plant P. Black Buttons this year? Will this plant be established in time for winter?

Great Garden Plants

Spring or Early Fall are the best times to plant. We are shipping right now for the fall planting season in your zone 7. The rule of thumb for fall planting is to get the plants in the ground 6 weeks before the first HARD frost in your area.

J
J.

I'm looking for something low growing, possibly flowering, that will stay where I put it and not spread. Any suggestions?

Great Garden Plants

Thank you for contacting us! Here are some suggestions for low growing flowering plants. Please click on links below.

https://www.greatgardenplants.com/collections/perennials/products/firewitch-dianthus

https://www.greatgardenplants.com/collections/perennials/products/paint-the-town-magenta-dianthus

https://www.greatgardenplants.com/collections/perennials/products/spot-on-lungwort

D
D.O.

Will brass buttons hold up to foot traffic

Great Garden Plants

Occasional light foot traffic is okay, but it will suffer in heavy foot traffic.