The name, saxifrage, comes from the places where the plant grows. It likes to grow out of crevices in the rock. It used to be thought that the plant blasted or broke the rock there. There is also another explanation. Saxifrage was used as a medicinal plant, as a remedy for kidney and gallstones. There are 450 to 480 species of saxifrage. Some are difficult to tell apart. All are characterized by their low, compact, sometimes mat-shaped growth. The flowers can be white, yellow, orange, or even purple in color. Capsule fruits are formed from this. Saxifrage is a popular ground cover. But the plant also does well in the rock garden or on the front edges of the beds.
Table of Contents
Species and varieties
In terms of the number of species and the associated varieties, one can of course only list a fraction. First and foremost, it’s always a matter of taste, but you should also keep an eye on the site conditions. Many of the wild species are not made for home gardens. You need alpine living space. But there are enough varieties that are suitable for the garden. The choice is huge. In the local garden center, only the standard varieties are often offered. Anyone looking for more unusual species and varieties is sure to find something on the World Wide Web.
Many varieties are suitable as ground cover because they quickly form larger cushions. If you take different varieties of a species, you can also stretch the flower a little, because not all of them flower at exactly the same time.
- Garden moss saxifrage – moss-like cushions with abundant pink flowers, evergreen leaves, flowering in May, 5 to 15 cm high, most common saxifrage species in gardens, there are numerous varieties, also with white flowers
- Ivory saxifrage – cushion-forming, rosette-like growth, 5 to 10 cm high, light yellow flowers in April, evergreen, for rock gardens, wall crowns and stone joints
- Sedum saxifrage – also brook or spring saxifrage, thick-fleshed, water-storing leaves, flowers yellow to dark orange, rarely dark red, 15 to 20 cm high, likes moist locations, well hardy
- Autumn saxifrage – large leaves similar to a Heuchera, red-leaved varieties such as ‘Black Ruby’ – dark purple flowers, from October to November, 10 to 25 cm high are particularly interesting
- Cup saxifrage – one of the most splendid species, beautiful flat but large rosettes, long, arched flower panicles with many white flowers, for shady, more humid places, 5 to 40 cm high, flowering June / July, evergreen
- Cushion saxifrage – forms carpet-like stands of plants, 2 to 10 cm high, mostly white flowers, rarely blue-red or red-violet, flowering May to June, grows on rocks, likes wind and gravel surfaces
- Opposite-leaved saxifrage – 1 to 5 cm high, hardly forms cushion, rather loose lawn, flowers from May to August, purple to wine red, likes it cold and not so hot in summer, also grows in the coldest locations, mountain plant
- Tongue saxifrage – rosette plant, elongated lanceolate leaves, leathery, fleshy, 20 to 60 cm high, white flowers, but only a few, flowering from May to July, likes limestone rocks, also thrives in lower altitudes
- Spoon-leaved Saxifrage – flat cushions, rosette plant, spatulate to spoon-shaped leaves, 5 to 40 cm high, white flowers from June to July, likes limestone rocks
Saxifrage – care
The saxifrage is a robust and easy-care garden plant. Almost all species are extremely hardy, which is not surprising, because many species come from mountainous areas and have to withstand winter weather conditions.
Saxifrage is not only suitable as a ground cover, for rock gardens or dry stone walls, it also cuts a fine figure in pots and planters. It is also popular on graves, at least the evergreen varieties. Some species are ideal for the forest garden. The winter or evergreen species are also highly valued in Japanese gardens.
location
The location requirements of the individual species and varieties are sometimes quite different. While many prefer the sun, many also get by with partial shade. Only a few plants prefer shade.
- Light, but partially shaded location
- Very few species like bright sun and absolute shade. Nevertheless, there are also corresponding copies for these locations.
Plant substrate
There are also different requirements for the substrate. While some prefer a very barren, rocky soil, there are also species that love it rather moist or chalky. Here, too, it is an advantage to know the exact name of the plant.
- Well drained, humus rich, nutrient-rich soil
- Some like nutrient-poor, barren soils
- Neutral to calcareous substrate
- Heavy soils with an appropriate water buffer are only recommended for a few species.
- Improve acidic soils with lime
- Many varieties also like a somewhat stony soil
plant
Planting is a good opportunity to adapt the soil to the individual saxifrage species and to improve it accordingly.
- Plants in spring
- Plant spacing 15 to 45 cm, depending on the type and variety
- Work in rotted compost or manure, especially in the species that are not so sunny and that like it a little damp.
- Self-grown plants outdoors from mid-May.
- All saxifrage plants are cushioned and therefore low. They belong in the foreground, on edges or in rock gardens with generally low vegetation.
- Otherwise there is not much to consider when planting.
Watering and fertilizing
When watering you have to keep in mind that the individual species have different wishes. Some like it to be quite dry and barren, others prefer a little more humid. It is therefore beneficial to know the type and variety and then look it up specifically.
- Pour in the event of prolonged drought
- Some species respond poorly to drought. They dry up very quickly.
- Plants that like it more humid are happy about a mulch cover. This means that less watering is required without the soil drying out too much.
- Only fertilize certain varieties. Many of the plants prefer poor nutrient-poor plants.
- The autumn saxifrage, for example, is supplied with slow-release fertilizer in spring. This ensures flowering in autumn.
To cut
You don’t have to cut the saxifrage much. Dead leaf rosettes should be carefully cut out. For some species, it is advisable to prune them in late May after flowering. Cut off the faded flower stalks. If you own a lot of the plants, it is best to use an electric hand trimmer. It’s faster with that. After the cut, add fertilizer, one that works quickly, such as liquid fertilizer. Otherwise nothing has to be cut with the stone breaker.
Overwinter
Saxifrage is at home in nature in the mountains, often at an altitude of over 2,000 or 3,000 meters. So he’s used to harsh winters. The plants do not mind ice, snow and frost. Covering is only recommended if the plants were only planted shortly before the onset of winter. Then it makes sense to cover them with some sticks. Otherwise they can do just fine on their own.
Multiply
Saxifrage is propagated by sowing, cuttings or dividing. Sowing is the most common way. From time to time, however, it also makes sense to divide the plant, especially if it is balding from the inside or simply falling apart.
sowing
- To do this, take seeds from the capsule fruits in autumn. Store in a cool, dry and dark place.
- Sow from February.
- Warning: Almost all saxifrage species are cold germs. Either put the pots outdoors or put the seeds in the refrigerator. 0 ° to -3 ° C are ideal. Then the germ-inhibiting substances are broken down particularly quickly.
- Mix the seed compost with a little sand.
- Sow in shallow bowls.
- Lightly cover larger seeds with sand. Leave the small ones uncovered, just press them down lightly.
- Evenly moist, never keep wet.
- Put in a cool place.
- The seeds germinate quickly.
- The young plants are quite insensitive to rearing.
- It is best to put them together in small tuffs. They then develop more vigorously.
division
- Sharing is easy. You dig up the plant and divide the perennial into two parts.
- The important thing is to plant them in a new place!
Cuttings
- Separation of rosettes
- Plant rosettes separately.
- Be careful with the roots. She mustn’t be hurt.
Diseases and pests
Diseases and specific pests are largely unknown. Certain species are fond of the black vine weevil. It is best to always check whether an infestation can be recognized. Most of the time, snails don’t care about plants. Otherwise they are usually spared. They are very robust plants, mountain plants. They are tough.
Conclusion
A saxifrage plant can probably be found in every garden. Until I did my research, I didn’t even know that I also have some varieties. I attributed the rosette plants to the succulents. So, learned something again. By and large, these are easy-care and robust plants, provided that the location and plant substrate are right. There is little need to water and fertilize, hardly any pruning, no need to worry about wintering and you don’t have to worry that the plants will spread out of control. All in all, the saxifrage is a recommendable plant species that should not be missing in any garden.
