Saxifrage

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Saxifrage (Latin Saxifraga) - annual, biennial or perennial decorative culture; large genus of the family Stonefragment. The genus includes about 440 species, concentrated mainly in Europe, North America, mountainous regions of Asia and Africa. Some species are found naturally in the Arctic latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. At present, saxifrage is actively cultivated to decorate both personal household plots and large city parks and gardens, which is associated with the unpretentiousness of most species and varieties obtained from them.

Characteristics of culture

Saxifrages are represented by herbaceous plants, which form large rosettes of leathery fleshy leaves up to 70 cm high during growth, above which inflorescences rise, containing regular, stellate, five-petalled flowers of white, red, yellow, purple, lilac or pink color. Most species of saxifrage bloom in May - August, in some cases the flowering period is extended until September.

Many people associate the name of the plant with something strong and sturdy, in fact, saxifrage is very delicate and beautiful flowers, however, they are able to germinate through any stone, asphalt or root growth of large shrubs and trees, it is for this reason that they were awarded this title. In nature, saxifrage grows in rocky and mountainous areas, in the garden they are used to decorate rockeries, alpine slides and other rocky gardens.

Common types

* Arends' saxifrage (Latin Saxifraga arendsii) - the species is represented by perennial evergreens, which make up a group of complex garden hybrids that are very popular among gardeners. It is a frequent visitor to rock gardens and just rocky areas. In the process of growth, the hybrid forms a dense rosette of light green 3-5-tylopaste leaves, which, when growing, forms a solid and very attractive carpet, with loose racemose inflorescences containing 5-9 small white flowers. The species blooms in May - June. Includes many varieties that differ in flower color.

* Soddy saxifrage (Latin Saxifraga caespitosa) - the species is represented by plants in the form of small bushes 5-10 cm high, consisting of small rosette leaves, with peduncles rising to a height of 20 cm, bearing small flowers, collected in paniculate loose inflorescences. The species blooms, like the previous one, in May - June. It includes many varieties, but the varieties obtained by crossing the soddy saxifrage and the rosaceous saxifrage are especially attractive.

* Cymbal saxifrage (Latin Saxifraga cymbalaria) - the species is represented by annual small-sized herbaceous plants with kidney-shaped rounded leaves, shallowly divided into 5-9 lobes, and bright yellow flowers, collected in loose corymbose inflorescences. In nature, representatives of the species grow in North Africa and Asia Minor.

* Hawk-leaved saxifrage (Latin Saxifraga hieraciifolia) - the species is represented by perennial herbaceous plants in the form of a rosette of fleshy, fine-toothed, diamond-shaped leaves with nondescript greenish flowers. The species blooms quite late (compared to its close relatives) - in July - August. The species is widespread in North America, Europe, as well as on the territory of the Russian Federation, namely in the European part, in Siberia and Primorye.

* Saxifrage leather-leaved (Latin Saxifraga coriifolia) - the species is represented by plants with large, serrated along the edge, leathery, dark green rounded leaves, collected in a rosette reaching a height of up to 30 cm, and small flowers with red dots, collected in loose oval inflorescences, rising to a height of 50 cm. Flowering takes place in June for 3-4 weeks.

Growing conditions and care

Growing conditions and care for different types of saxifrage and their varieties are different, but there are some similarities. Most representatives of the genus prefer well-lit areas with light, drained, moderately moist, permeable, loose soils with a neutral pH reaction.

The degree of soil moisture is of great importance for saxifrage. When planting plants in areas open to the sun, it is important to think about how often the gardener can water them. From a lack of watering in such areas, saxifrage will begin to turn yellow and look sick. Therefore, if there is absolutely no time to care for saxifrage, you should plant them on the northeastern, northern or western slopes. In this case, watering will have to be done much less frequently.

As for Heucheras, close relatives of saxifrage, periodic loosening is important. This procedure will avoid compaction and improve soil aeration. Active growth and development of the crop can be maintained by applying mineral and organic fertilizers (twice a season - in early spring and immediately after flowering). Pests and diseases rarely affect saxifrage, usually when growing conditions are not followed or care is improper.