Capparis spinosa 'Inermis' - Caper

The Caper shrub (Capparis spinosa) produces the well known capers. However, the capers are not the fruits but the closed flower buds that are the size of a pea. They are pickled for developing the typical taste. If the buds are not harvested they unfold to slight pink and wonderful flowers of 4 to 5 cm in diameter with a cluster of violet stamen in the center. Caper shrubs are very modest plants that need only little care. In their mediterranian habitat they even grow in wall cracks! Accordingly, as pot plant they need poor, stony- sandy and well draining substrate. The sun- and heat- loving branches are very flexible. Once they are 20 cm long the branches bend to the ground again, thus making it a good groundcover plant or trailing plant. On the Aeolian Islands (close to Sicily) capers are still grown commercially. There, the caper plants are pruned and staked so that they grow as a shrub. In winter the branches dry back to a large extend, but in April they start growing again. Our variety ‘Inermis’ has no thorns. Please note: When delivered in spring, Caper shrubs still have very short shoots.

Quality : well known plant for seasoning; exotic & large flowers; small growth; easy-care & heat resistant
Use: in pots from April/ May to September/ October outside on balcony, terrace or in the garden - during winter in an unheated quarter; all year in an unheated or just occasionnally heated greenhouse