Saxifraga cotyledon, the pyramidal saxifrage, is a spectacular European alpine forming neat rosettes of narrow, gray-green leaves edged with white lime deposits. In early summer, tall, slender stems rise well above the foliage and carry a branching pyramid of numerous small white flowers, often delicately spotted with red. The combination of the silvery rosettes and airy flower stems makes this one of the most distinctive of the large silver saxifrages.
Native from Scandinavia through the Alps and Pyrenees, it grows in rocky mountain habitats where it is adapted to excellent drainage and exposed conditions. Give it a sharply drained, gritty soil and full sun to light shade, with protection from excessive summer heat. An outstanding plant for a limestone rock garden, alpine trough or cool crevice, and a particularly rewarding species for the specialist saxifrage collection.
Another remarkable, tough, hardy saxifrage. That reminds me, if you haven’t seen David Sellars presentation entitled “The Joy of Sax’ you really must see it.
This fall we are building the new shady pumice/rock garden and will be adding many more saxifrages in the years to come! Stay tuned for that fun adventure.
Saxifraga cotyledon, the pyramidal saxifrage, is a spectacular European alpine forming neat rosettes of narrow, gray-green leaves edged with white lime deposits. In early summer, tall, slender stems rise well above the foliage and carry a branching pyramid of numerous small white flowers, often delicately spotted with red. The combination of the silvery rosettes and airy flower stems makes this one of the most distinctive of the large silver saxifrages.
Native from Scandinavia through the Alps and Pyrenees, it grows in rocky mountain habitats where it is adapted to excellent drainage and exposed conditions. Give it a sharply drained, gritty soil and full sun to light shade, with protection from excessive summer heat. An outstanding plant for a limestone rock garden, alpine trough or cool crevice, and a particularly rewarding species for the specialist saxifrage collection.
Another remarkable, tough, hardy saxifrage. That reminds me, if you haven’t seen David Sellars presentation entitled “The Joy of Sax’ you really must see it.
This fall we are building the new shady pumice/rock garden and will be adding many more saxifrages in the years to come! Stay tuned for that fun adventure.
