About

Saxifraga oppositifolia, the purple mountain saxifrage, is a sturdy, stoloniferous, mat-forming perennial with tiny tight rosettes of opposite, ovate, grey-green leaves. Masses of solitary, purple, cup-shaped flowers on short upturned stems are produced in early spring � one of the earliest alpine plants to flower. A beautiful native alpine saxifrage for a cool, moist, very well-drained rock garden.

About the genus

Saxifraga, the saxifrages, are a vast and diverse genus of annuals, biennials and evergreen or herbaceous perennials, mostly mat- or cushion-forming with simple or lobed leaves and starry or rounded flowers in panicles, cymes or solitary. Excellent plants for rock gardens, alpine troughs and shaded walls.

Growing conditions

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

Plant details

Plant typeAlpine Rockery
HabitMatforming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden
Native toTemp. N. Hemisphere

Care notes

CultivationGrow in humus-rich, moist but very well-drained, alkaline or neutral soil in light shade
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