About
Saxifraga callosa (8), the limestone saxifrage, is an evergreen perennial with rosettes of linear, lime-encrusted, silvery-grey leaves to 8 cm long. Starry, white flowers 1 cm across are carried in large, open panicles on arching stems to 25 cm. A beautiful and rewarding silver saxifrage for a sunny, well-drained rock garden or wall 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 typeChalk
Soil pHAlkaline
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeAlpine Rockery
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0-0.1 metre
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Gravel garden, Rock garden
Native toEurope
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, very well-drained, alkaline soil in full sun. May be intolerant of winter wet, can be grown in a pot in an alpine house
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in pots in an open frame in autumn. Propagate 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
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free