Saxifraga 'Tricolor' (_stolonifera_) (5)

RHS Plant Profile
magic carpet saxifrage
magic carpet saxifrage Dorling Kindersley 2003

Synonyms

Saxifraga 'Tricolor' (_fortunei_)

Award of Garden Merit
Conservatory Greenhouse Alpine Rockery Herbaceous Perennial

A stoloniferous perennial to 30cm in height, the rounded hairy leaves reddish-green with a broad white to pink margin; small white flowers in open panicles

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Saxifragaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
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
Accepted
Horticultural Group
Irregulares section saxifrages are shade-tolerant, usually herbaceous perennials forming rosettes broad, palmately lobed leaves, with leafless stems bearing lax panicles of small flowers with short upper, and longer lower petals, in summer or autumn

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil in deep or partial shade; needs a temperature of at least 5°C. Often grown as a houseplant

Propagation

Propagate by runners that root on contact with moist soil or compost

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Ground cover
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, slugs, vine weevil and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free