About
Saxifraga caesia L. (8), the blue-green saxifrage, is a cushion-forming, evergreen alpine made up of tiny rosettes of spoon-shaped, blue-green leaves with lime-encrusted edges. Upright stems to 10 cm bear sprays of 4�5 white flowers in early summer. A beautiful and rewarding silver saxifrage 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
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeChalk
Soil pHAlkaline
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeAlpine Rockery
HabitMatforming
FoliageEvergreen
HeightUp to 10 cm
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Gravel garden, Rock garden
Native toC & S Europe
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, very well-drained, alkaline soil, with protection from hot sun and winter wet. Suitable for a rock garden, trough or alpine house
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by detaching rosettes and rooting as cuttings in late spring or early summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, slugs, vine weevil and glasshouse red spider mite when grown under glass
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free