Saxifraga Black Ruby ('Black Leaf') (_fortunei_) (5)
saxifrage 'Black Ruby'
A clump-forming perennial growing up to 30cm tall. The lobed leaves are 6-10cm wide and a dark purple-black colour in spring and summer before turning dark red in autumn. Ruby-red to pink flowers are borne in loose panicles in autumn
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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–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Black Purple | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Black Purple | |||
Autumn | Pink Red | Red Black Purple | ||
Winter |
Position
- Full shade
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Saxifragaceae
- Native to the UK
- 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
Trade
- 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 soil in deep or partial shade. Suitable for a rock garden or border
Propagation
Propagate by division of clumps
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Flower borders and beds
- Garden edging
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs and vine weevil
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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