Saxifrage species and varieties: the most beautiful at a glance

Whether white or deep red flowers, succulent or flat leaves – the numerous saxifrage species offer truly great variety.

Each species of saxifrage (Saxifraga) has its own special appearance and different requirements for the ideal location. We have picked out the best saxifrage species and explain where they feel most at home.

About 370 to 450 different saxifrage species are known, which are mostly native to temperate and cold climates. We have compiled a selection of saxifrage species to give an overview of the impressive diversity of the Saxifraga genus and possibly find a suitable plant for your garden.

Moss saxifrage (Saxifraga x arendsii)

Moss saxifrage is ideal for cushion planting with a growth height of 5 to 15 cm. Saxifraga x arendsii is an evergreen, cultivated hybrid that displays white to purple flowers from April to May. The hybrid feels most at home in a shady, cool location in fresh but well-drained soil. When choosing the substrate, look for an alkaline to slightly acidic pH value. This hybrid saxifrage beautifully comes into its own when grouped with 5 to 10 other plants and can be overwintered outdoors at temperatures down to -28 °C without any problems. Moss saxifrage is not very competitive, which is why it usually does not survive long in flower beds. Low-competition rock gardens or planters, on the other hand, are more suitable for planting. A planting distance of about 15 cm leaves enough space for the individual specimens.

• ‘Peter Pan’: crimson-pink flowers, growth height up to 10 cm
• ‘Rosenzwerg’: flat-growing with a height of approx. 8 cm and purple inflorescences
• ‘Snow cushion’: white flowers and a height of about 15 cm

Moss saxifrage (Saxifraga bryoides)

The Saxifraga bryoides species is also known as moss saxifrage. It loves a sunny location but one that is airy and therefore cool. This saxifrage does not tolerates strong heat very well. Unlike its relatives, Saxifraga bryoides does not like drought and is happy to be lightly watered every day provided the soil is well-drained and does not become waterlogged. The evergreen moss saxifrage produces white-yellow flowers from July to August and reaches a maximum height of 10 cm. It creates a pretty carpet when grouped with other plants. It resists temperatures down to -10 °C without issues.

Hanging saxifrage (Saxifraga stolonifera)

Hanging saxifrage is also known as creeping saxifrage or Jew’s beard and is evergreen in milder regions. The perennial forms runners, although these are rarely a nuisance. It grows to a height of about 30 cm and has round, toothed leaves that are arranged like rosettes. The young foliage is very hairy and has a silvery leaf veining. It turns completely green over time. The main flowering period of this saxifrage species is from May to the end of July, although it can start earlier and end later. Its white flowers protrude clearly above the foliage. Its hanging growth habit makes it suitable for hanging baskets on balconies or terraces, or as a creeping ground cover in fresh, humus-rich soil. In addition to the soil conditions, creeping saxifrage should be grown in partial to full shade. This species can survive temperatures as low as -17 °C without any problems, although plants in pots should be overwintered in a sheltered place.

• ‘Cuscutiformis’: reddish-brown marbled leaves, white flowers and growth height of 20 cm
• ‘Tricolor’: green leaf blades with white to red leaf margin

Brook saxifrage (Saxifraga aizoides)

Brook saxifrage is also known as fat-hen saxifrage because of its fleshy leaves and is often found on rock faces. It loves a sunny but cool location. It forms a cushion-like growth and reaches a height of about 30 cm when in flower. The yellow, orange or brown-red flowers appear between June and September depending on the location. This saxifrage species is less common in gardens so far because it is relatively weak in competition. In fresh to well-drained substrates, however, the species can be easily integrated into the garden. A site with good morning and evening light is ideal for this, as brook saxifrage likes the sun but it can get too hot in the midday sun.

Autumn saxifrage (Saxifraga cortusifolia var. fortunei)

Autumn saxifrage appreciates a sunny to partially shaded location sheltered from the wind with a fresh, humus-rich soil. It is advisable to apply a slow-release fertiliser in spring. Our Plantura All Purpose Plant Food can be mixed into the substrate and provides the autumn saxifrage with valuable nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

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The leaves of the saxifrage are rounded and have a red colouring, especially on the underside of the leaf. Its flower stems are also red and end with white flowers. As the name suggests, they appear in autumn from September to October. This species also likes to stand in small groups. It is theoretically hardy down to -17 °C but should be protected from winter sun and frost. Place some foliage around the planting site and wrap the pots with jute or fleece. Ensure a distance of about 30 cm between the individual plants. Autumn saxifrage looks particularly ornamental when combined with ornamental grasses.

• ‘Black Ruby’: height of approx. 20 cm, brown-red leaves and pink flowers
• ‘May green’: fresh-green foliage and up to 25 cm tall
• ‘Rubrifolia’: pretty, white flowers with bright red leaf underside

Lifelong saxifrage (Saxifraga paniculata)

Saxifraga paniculata, also known as rockfoil or lifelong saxifrage, forms evergreen leaf rosettes with rigid, succulent foliage. This species is very hardy and theoretically tolerates temperatures down to -45 °C. In white flowering state, from May to July, this species reaches a height of approx. 30 cm. The flower stems are reddish-brown and thus form a beautiful contrast to the white flower. Lifelong saxifrage is mainly used in rock gardens in narrow rock crevices. In addition, the soil should be well-drained and the optimum light conditions are sunny to partial shade. Lifelong saxifrage forms dense cushions when there is a lack of nitrogen and drought stress.

London Pride (Saxifraga umbrosa)

London Pride is one of the most common species and is often planted in gardens. The optimal location for this is partial shade to shade. The soil should be well-drained, nutritious and fresh. Otherwise, this variety is very easy to care for and can withstand dry spells and temperatures as low as -17°C. Only the blazing midday sun is not good for London Pride. The perennial grows up to 15 cm tall when in flower and has pink flowers from June to July.

Porcelain flower (Saxifraga x urbium)

This hybrid saxifrage is one of the most valuable natural crosses for the garden and is suitable for woodland borders and rock gardens. It emerged from the species Saxifraga spathularis and Saxifraga umbrosa. Today, it is beautifully displayed in small arrangements of 3 plants as well as medium-sized groups of up to 20 specimens. A partially shaded to sunny location with fresh, well-drained soil is ideal for the evergreen porcelain flower. The fleshy leaves grow to about 10 cm tall and the pink flowers, which appear from May to June, grow up to 30 cm tall. The hybrid survives temperatures down to -23 °C without any problems. Ensure a planting distance of around 20 cm.

• ‘Clarence Elliott’: pink flowers and striking red flower stems between May and June, manageable 15 cm tall, planting distance of 15 cm
• ‘Aureopunctata’: pretty variegated leaves and evergreen rosette-like cushion, white to pink flowers from June to July – growth height from 5 to 15 cm

Encrusted Saxifrage (Saxifraga longifolia)

Originally from the Pyrenees, the encrusted saxifrage is a special species because it only comes into flower every 4 to 5 years and then dies. Until then, it is still worth cultivating. The leaves are arranged like rosettes and stand close together. They are heavily encrusted and a greenish-grey colour. This rosette can grow up to 30 cm tall. When the time is right and Saxifraga longifolia comes into flower, it first forms a stem that grows up to 70 cm long, on which numerous white inflorescences and later seeds form from June to July. In the best case, it will then germinate by itself; alternatively, the saxifrage seeds can be harvested and sown selectively. Encrusted saxifrage is completely hardy here – it can tolerate temperatures down to -22 °C. This special saxifrage species likes to stand alone or at most in small groups. In this case, ensure a distance of about 40 cm from the next plant. Encrusted saxifrage feels most at home in a sun to partial shade with well-drained, calcareous soil, such as in a rock garden.

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