About
Saxifraga paniculata, the lifelong saxifrage, is an evergreen perennial with rosettes up to 9 cm across of narrow, incurved, grey-green, lime-encrusted leaves. White, rarely pink, cup-shaped flowers open in narrow, flat sprays up to 20 cm long in early summer. A classic and beautiful silver saxifrage for a sunny, very well-drained rock garden or alpine house.
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
Soil typeChalk, 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
Native toEurope, Caucasus & N America
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moderately fertile, very well-drained, neutral or alkaline soil in full sun, or in a pot in an alpine house using 50:50 peat-free, loam-based compost and sharp grit
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by separating 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