Pinnate cushions, also known as lye flowers, are a genus of carpet-forming cushion plants. The low-growing perennials are often planted as a lawn replacement and show numerous small, honey-scented flowers between June and August. The plant is also an attractive eye-catcher in the garden due to its seasonally changing colors. Read how to properly plant and care for the feather cushion - then you can enjoy the uncomplicated plant for a long time.

Feather pad is often used as a lawn substitute

Table of Contents

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  1. origin and distribution
  2. use
  3. appearance and growth
  4. leaves
  5. flowering and flowering time
  6. fruit
  7. toxicity
  8. Which location is suitable?
  9. floor
  10. Plant feather pads correctly
  11. watering and fertilizing
  12. Cut feather pads correctly
  13. increase feather pads
  14. hibernate
  15. diseases and pests
  16. species and varieties

    17. origin and distribution

    The real feather cushion (bot. Cotula squalida, syn. Leptinella squalida), also simply called feather cushion, in contrast to other species of the genus brown feather cushion or lye flower, is a pretty, small and carpet-forming cushion perennial from the daisy family (bot. Asteraceae) . In addition to this species, the pinnate genus includes around 50 other varieties, which, with the exception of the crow's foot lye flower (Cotula coronopifolia), which has now also become naturalized with us, are native exclusively to the southern hemisphere. Cotula squalida is native to New Zealand, where it is widespread on both the North and South Islands. Here it is primarily at home in moist locations, for example on the banks of rivers and streams, on moist mountain meadows or in the lowlands close to the coast.

    use

    Due to its short and mat-forming growth, the brown feather cushion is very well suited for moss gardens, but can also be planted as a robust lawn replacement. Planted in groups at a distance of 10 to 30 centimeters, it forms a soft cushioned carpet within a short time, which can also be walked on to a certain extent. Furthermore, the small perennial is suitable for filling planting between walkway sections, stepping stones or under or between trees and smaller grasses. Since pinnate cushions prefer a rather moist subsoil, the plants feel particularly comfortable at the edges of ponds or streams. But the perennials can also be used as a flat and permanently green planting in rock gardens or as grave planting.

    In spring, the evergreen perennial comes into its own with smaller onion flowers such as wild tulips or crocuses. Otherwise, suitable plant partners include species such as the red sedge (bot. Carex buchananii) and other grasses, the Carpathian foam cress (bot. Arabis procurrens), primroses (bot. Primula), ferns or hostas (bot. Hosta).

    appearance and growth

    Cotula squalida grows to a maximum of five centimeters in height, but forms dense, lawn-like mats within a short period of time with its prostrate shoots. It owes its Latin name to the characteristic growth of its leaves, which is vaguely reminiscent of a bowl or bowl. The ancient Greek word kotyle means something like cup or bowl.

    leaves

    The delicate pinnate cushion is mainly cultivated for its elongated, brownish-green leaves. Due to the fine feathering, these are reminiscent of small ferns, to which the daisy family is not related. Feather pads are usually evergreen or even evergreen.

    flowering and flowering time

    The greenish-yellow, ball-shaped, and up to two centimeters in diameter, capsular flowers of the pinnate cushion bloom between June and August. They are rather inconspicuous, but spread a pleasant scent of honey. The plants are very popular with bees and other butterflies, which is why they represent valuable bee pasture in a natural garden.

    fruit

    After the flowering period, the pinnacle forms nut-like, small involute fruits, each containing only a single seed. Botanically, these fruits are also called achenes.

    toxicity

    The feather pad is not poisonous to humans or animals.

    Which location is suitable?

    Cotula squalida feels most comfortable in a sunny or shady to semi-shady spot in the garden, but it must not dry out. Only the silver feather pad, Cotula hispida, needs a spot in full sun for healthy growth.

    floor

    The real feather cushion feels most comfortable in fresh to moist, but well-drained and loose soil. If the subsoil is sufficiently moist, well aerated and rich in nutrients, the small perennial quickly forms densely branched, even mats. However, the plant does not tolerate waterlogging or drought at all. Ideally, the pH of the soil should be in the neutral range.

    Plant feather pads correctly

    If you want to use Cotula squalida as a ground cover or lawn replacement, plan about ten to 20 plants per square area of planting area, which are planted at a distance of optimally ten to 30 centimeters - depending on the type and variety selected. The best time to plant the vigorous feather cushion is spring, so the perennial can grow well until next winter. Since Cotula species prefer moderately nutrient-rich, humus-rich soil, you should enrich lean soil with mature compost before planting to increase the nutrient content.

    watering and fertilizing

    The easy-care feather pad grows quickly and easily in suitable locations without further care. A light fertilization before the spring shoots with an organic fertilizer - mature compost is very well suited, for example - serves as a starting aid for the plant in the new vegetation period and ensures numerous fresh, green leaves. Additional watering may also be necessary on dry and warm summer days to prevent drought damage. However, occasional drought does not harm the robust plant, even if it appears dried up and damaged: the perennial usually regenerates itself from the base with appropriate care.

    Cut feather pads correctly

    Basically, regular cutting measures are neither necessary nor useful, you should only carefully remove dried parts of the plant. The advantage of the feather cushion as a lawn substitute compared to conventional grass is that the planted area does not have to be mowed or cut back.

    increase feather pads

    In contrast to many other flowering plants, the pinnate cushion does not sow itself. In autumn you can collect the ripe fruits and sow the seeds directly on site or in a seed tray in early spring. However, this is usually not necessary, as the perennial multiplies through numerous foothills. With this, it forms the characteristic plant carpets after just a few weeks, but can also be propagated without any problems. To do this, simply separate some of the small runners and plant them separately. This procedure is also recommended if the growth of the feather pad should or must be limited.

    divide

    Another easy method of propagation is division, which is best done in spring. To do this, simply cut off flat pieces of the desired size with a sharp spade and put them back in at the new location. Take this opportunity to remove diseased and dried-up parts of the plant so that the feather pad grows healthily at the new location. Immediately after replanting and in the weeks that follow, you should water the planting area generously so that the new roots develop more quickly and the plant is not damaged by drought.

    In contrast to other perennials, a regular division of the pinnae cushion for the purpose of rejuvenation is possible, but not necessary. The long-lived species does not tend to shed and often only becomes dense and handsome with age.

    hibernate

    The feather pad has a very good winter hardiness with a cold tolerance of up to minus 28 degrees Celsius. Nevertheless, sun protection against the glaring winter sun makes sense, especially in the case of frost, since the perennial can react to the intense radiation with a brown discoloration of the leaves. Although this has no further negative effects on the plant, it looks ugly. In addition, it will take a while next spring for the planted area to appear fresh green again. Covering with brushwood is completely sufficient as winter protection.

    diseases and pests

    In general, the feather pad is quite resistant to pathogens and pests, but not completely insensitive. In particular, high levels of solar radiation can lead to problems in both summer and winter, because an intensely sunny location often leads to brown discoloration of the leaves - this is especially true if the subsoil is dry at the same time. However, regular watering and, if necessary, shading, especially at midday, allows the plant to recover quickly. If brightening is visible in the plant mats in summer, spider mites have often found their way. The annoying pests occur more frequently in dry years and damage the plants through their sucking activities.

    Snail damage is also problematic, whereby it is not only the appetite of the crawling pests that damages the plants: the slimy secretions also ensure that the planted areas are sealed off from air, which in turn can lead to rot. To prevent this, effective snail barriers should be installed. In addition, small twigs and leaves should be removed in the event of an infestation to ensure ventilation of the mats.

    tips

    If you are looking for a suitable lawn replacement, there are other types of perennials in addition to the pinnate cushion, which is more suitable for shady and damp locations. Carpet thyme, for example, goes well in sunny locations, stonecrop or the prickly nut is recommended for dry and sunny locations. The uncomplicated star moss (bot. Sagina subulata), which also thrives well in sunnier places, is not only popular in Japanese gardens. Roman chamomile, on the other hand, can be used as a fragrant lawn.

    species and varieties

    In addition to the actual species Cotula squalida, only the 'Platt's Black' variety is commercially available, which, however, lives up to its variety name. In contrast to the wild species, the perennial, which also only grows up to five centimeters high, has conspicuously dark pinnate leaves, which are reddish-brown in summer and black-green in winter. In addition to the real or brown feather pads, there are also various types available that can also be used very well in the garden and are quite similar to the type described here in terms of location and care.

    Cinquefoil feather carpet (bot. Cotula potentillina)

    This variety, which also comes from New Zealand, has very similar characteristics to Cotula squalida in terms of growth and characteristics, but is somewhat taller with a growth height of up to ten centimetres.

    Dull green plumage (bot. Cotula diotica)

    This species forms lush carpets of pinnate leaves that are green in summer and copper-colored in winter. The plants, which only grow to a height of five centimetres, flower quite early compared to the related species: the small, light yellow flower heads appear between May and June. In addition to the already small species, there is a dwarf variety called 'Minima'. This is only up to three centimeters high.

    Silver pinnate (bot. Cotula hispida)

    In contrast to the other Cotula species, this one needs a sunny location with a rather poor substrate. The silvery perennial forms yellow flower heads between May and July and can grow up to ten centimeters high.

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Indoor plants