About

A shrubby, evergreen begonia from Colombia with densely branched stems bearing numerous tiny, ovate, bright green, deeply toothed leaves resembling a fern frond, and small clusters of tiny, white or pale pink flowers in spring. A unique and delicate-looking begonia for a warm, humid glasshouse or conservatory.

About the genus

Saxifraga can be annuals, biennials, evergreen or herbaceous perennials, mostly mat-forming in habit, with simple or palmately lobed leaves and starry or rounded flowers which may be solitary of in panicles or cymes

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed
UK hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeAlpine Rockery
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesGravel garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden

Care notes

CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, very well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil; keep roots moist. Tolerant of full sun in cool areas but protect from leaf scorch in warm areas
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
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free