common caper

Also known as: caper

A tender, sprawling, shrub to 1m tall, bearing round, grey-green leaves to 4cm across. In summer it produces flowers comprised of four white petals surrounding a tuft of white to pink stamens. The unopened flower buds are pickled or salted and eaten as capers, as are the long-stalked, olive-shaped berries (caperberries)

Scientific classification

Species: common caper (Capparis spinosa)
Genus: Capparis
Family: Capparaceae

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Toxicity: Shrubs
Plant type: 0.5-1 metres
Height: 0.5-1 metres
Spread: Deciduous
Foliage: Bushy
Habit: Spring · Summer · Autumn
Season of interest: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

common caper pictures

Distribution of common caper

Distribution map

Southern Eurasia, Australia

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Culture

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Toxicity

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Quick identification of common caper

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common caper care guide

Water deeply infrequently, allow full soil drying between irrigation rounds
Watering: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Water deeply infrequently, allow full soil drying between irrigation rounds

Fertilizing

Diluted low-strength general feed once every six warm season weeks

Pruning

Shorten last year's flowering stems to one or two buds from the older woody framework. Remove thin, weak and dead shoots. Prune in early to mid-spring as growth resumes; avoid winter pruning that exposes new shoots to frost.

Propagation

Propagate by seed soaked in warm water for 2-3 days prior to sowing, at a temperature of 18-21°C. Germination is slow and erratic

Growing

Under glass grow in loam-based compost with added extra grit. Water moderately during the growing season and apply a high potash fertiliser monthly; water sparingly in winter

More growing and care information →