Life

Plant of the week – Saxifrage will brighten up summer gardens

Dawn Egan

A Generic Photo of saxifrage. See PA Feature GARDENING Chelsea. Picture credit should read: PA Photo/thinkstockphotos. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature GARDENING Chelsea.
A Generic Photo of saxifrage. See PA Feature GARDENING Chelsea. Picture credit should read: PA Photo/thinkstockphotos. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature GARDENING Chelsea. A Generic Photo of saxifrage. See PA Feature GARDENING Chelsea. Picture credit should read: PA Photo/thinkstockphotos. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature GARDENING Chelsea.

THE saxifrage (or saxifraga) is the lowgrowing stalwart of rock gardens and scree beds in late spring, when a mass of delicate star or saucer-shaped flowers in shades from white to rose and indigo appear above mounds of ground-hugging foliage. There are more than 400 species, including evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous perennials and biennials. As well as being grown in rock gardens, they are also grown in alpine troughs or used to soften walls and paving. Most prefer moist, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Good types include Saxifraga ‘Apple Blossom’, a pink type which is great to grow in crevices and borders, and ‘Tumbling Waters, a white variety.