Saxifraga cuneifolia (11)
shield-leaved saxifrage
A mat-forming evergreen perennial, forming rosettes of wedge-shaped to rounded, leathery green leaves, sometimes with toothed or scalloped edges, and with purple undersides. Slender, reddish stems to 20cm high bear loose clusters of small white flowers, with yellow or occasionally reddish-purple spots on the petals, in late spring and early 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–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full shade
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Saxifragaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- 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
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
- 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
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