Saxifraga spathularis (11)
St Patrick's cabbage
A compact evergreen perennial, forming rosettes of spoon-shaped, leathery green leaves with coarsely toothed edges. Slender, upright stems to 30cm high bear loose clusters of pink or white flowers, sometimes with red spots on the petals, in late spring and summer
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White Pink | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White Pink | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full shade
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Saxifragaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Matforming
- Genus
Saxifraga can be annuals, biennials, evergreen or herbaceous perennials, mostly mat-forming in habit, with simple or palmately lobed leaves and starry or rounded flowers which may be solitary of in panicles or cymes
- Name status
Correct
- Horticultural Group
- Gymnopera section saxifrages are perennials forming rosettes of evergreen leaves, with leafless stems bearing panicles of small, 5-petalled flowers
- Plant range
- SW Europe
How to grow
Cultivation
Easy to grow in most soils, thrives in a shady position
Propagation
Propagate by division in spring or detach rosettes and root in late spring to early summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Low Maintenance
- Garden edging
- Ground cover
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, slugs, vine weevil, and glasshouse red spider mite
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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