Guide to growing Saxifrage - Saxifraga

Members of Saxifraga are hardy perennials.

The type of Saxifraga grown in gardens are usually rosette plants that reach about 30cm in height.

The time that Saxifraga blooms is species dependent and ranges from the end of spring through to autumn.

They usually have small white, pink or red flowers.

Some common names for members of the Saxifraga genus include Saxifrage, Rockfoil, Mukdenia and London Pride.

How to grow Saxifrage

When growing Saxifrage and other Saxifraga species from seed it is probably easiest to sow outdoors in flats in the spring. First the Saxifrage seeds should be sown into flats (lightly cover the seeds) then imbibed by placing the flats in a black bag, then placing in the fridge for three weeks. The flats should then be sank into a shady part of the garden and covered with glass. Germination should take from a couple of weeks to a couple of months. Transplant the seedlings into their final location as they appear; this should be a fully or partially shaded part of the garden that has good drainage. Ideally the sol that Saxifrage grows in should be gritty or sandy, and both moist and cool. The Saxifraga plants should be spaced at 10cm (small), 25cm (medium) or 40cm (large Saxifraga varieties) apart.

Caring for Saxifrage

It is easy to look after Saxifrage; they like a moist soil so keep well watered in dry periods. If you require more plants then use the root runners that they produce for propagation.