Raoulia australis (Scabweed)

Raoulia australis, commonly called scabweed, is a remarkable mat-forming ground cover native to the alpine and subalpine regions of New Zealand. It hugs the ground in a dense, silvery-green carpet just a quarter inch tall, spreading slowly outward to form a living mosaic of tiny, overlapping leaves. In spring and early summer, it produces small yellow flower heads nearly flush with the foliage. Its sculptural, precise growth pattern makes it a favorite for hypertufa troughs, rock gardens, crevice walls, and anywhere a flat, refined ground cover is needed.

Scabweed demands excellent drainage above all else. It will rot quickly in wet or heavy soils. In the Pacific Northwest, it performs best in raised beds, gravel gardens, or container plantings where drainage can be controlled. It prefers full sun and tolerates the cool, maritime climate of the Oregon coast, though it must be protected from prolonged winter wetness. Minimal watering is needed once established in a well-draining site.

This plant is not palatable to deer and requires virtually no maintenance beyond occasional edge trimming if it encroaches on neighboring plants. It does not tolerate foot traffic. Use it as a living mulch between stepping stones, in rock crevices, or as a dramatic contrast to coarser alpine plants in a specialty trough garden.