Spergularia, Genus, rubra, Species,
- Genus & species
red sand spurrey
Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia
SunFull Sun
Overview
Spergularia rubra is a low, mat-forming annual or short-lived perennial 1-6 inches (2.5-15 cm) tall, with slender, much-branched, spreading stems that root where they touch the ground. Leaves are narrow and thread-like, 0.2-0.6 inch (5-15 mm) long, grey-green, in opposite pairs and small clusters, each pair joined by silvery, triangular papery stipules. From late spring through summer the plant carries many small five-petalled flowers 0.1-0.2 inch (3-5 mm) across, pink to rose-red, paler at the centre, opening in sunshine. The fruit is a small capsule splitting into three to release tiny brown seeds. It grows on dry, open, acidic and compacted sandy or gravelly ground, including paths, tracks, heaths, and roadsides, where competition is low. The plant is small and easily overlooked, and it disappears from sites that become shaded or are taken over by taller vegetation.
Native Range
Native to Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia. Grows on dry, sandy, gravelly, and compacted acidic soils, including paths, tracks, heaths, railway ballast, and roadsides, mostly in open sun at low to moderate elevations. Widely naturalized in North America and other temperate regions on disturbed sandy ground.Suggested Uses
Grown occasionally in gravel gardens, paths, and crevice plantings on poor acidic soils, and appears as a self-sown plant on tracks and waste ground. It fills bare gritty ground where taller plants struggle. Not suited to borders, containers, or fertile soils, where it is crowded out.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1" - 6"
Width/Spread2" - 8"
Bloom Information
Flowers from May to September, with peak bloom in summer. The small pink flowers open in sunshine and close in dull weather, and are pollinated by small insects or self-pollinate. Seed ripens through summer and autumn, and several generations can overlap in a single season.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pink to rose-redFoliage Description
grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Drought Tolerance
Drought tolerant when established
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun on dry, sharp-draining, low-nutrient sandy or gravelly soils, and tolerates compaction and foot traffic on paths and tracks. Seed germinates in spring and autumn on bare open ground, and the plant completes its cycle quickly in a single season. Tolerates drought through its short life cycle but does not compete with denser, taller plants. It needs no feeding and grows on poor ground where little else establishes. Rich, moist, or shaded soils cause it to fade out. It self-seeds readily where the ground stays open.Pruning
No pruning is practiced on this small plant. Removing it before seed sets limits its spread on paths and gravel, though buried seed continues to germinate. Plants left in place self-seed across open ground.Toxicity
Non-toxicPlanting Guide
Planting Methods & Timing
Planting Method
direct sow
Direct Sow Timing
spring or autumn on open gritty ground
Days to Maturity
60–90 days
Plant Spacing
4 inches
