About
Saxifraga burseriana (7), Burser's saxifrage, is a dense, cushion-forming evergreen perennial to 5 cm with tiny, lance-shaped, grey-green leaves and solitary, cup-shaped, white flowers 1 cm across in early spring. One of the earliest saxifrages to flower, a beautiful and rewarding cushion alpine for a sunny, well-drained rock garden or crevice.
About the genus
Saxifraga, the saxifrages, are annuals, biennials, evergreen or herbaceous perennials, mostly mat- or cushion-forming in habit, with simple or palmately lobed leaves and starry or rounded flowers which may be solitary or in panicles or cymes. A vast and popular genus for rock gardens, alpine troughs and shaded borders.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeSand, Loam, Chalk
Soil pHNeutral, Alkaline
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeAlpine Rockery
HabitMatforming
FoliageEvergreen
HeightUp to 10 cm
Spread0-0.1 metre
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesGravel garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden
Native toAlps
Care notes
CultivationGrow in well-drained soil in full sun. Suitable for a rock garden, scree are, or sinks and troughs. Also goos for alpine houses. Needs neutral to alkaline soil. See sink and trough gardening for more information
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by detaching individual rosettes and rooting as cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, slugs, vine weevil, and glasshouse red spider mite
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free