Saxifraga oppositifolia (7)
purple mountain saxifrage
A robust, stoloniferous, mat-forming, perennial, with tiny tight rosettes of opposite, ovate, grey-green leaves with masses of solitary, purple, cup-shaped flowers on short upturned stems, in spring
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple Pink | Grey Silver Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Grey Silver Green | |||
| Autumn | Grey Silver Green | |||
| Winter | Grey Silver Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Saxifragaceae
- Native to the UK
- Yes
- 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
- Porphyrion section saxifrages are compact, cushion or mat-forming evergreen perennials with small, usually lime-encrusted leaves, and 5-petalled white, yellow or pink flowers in early summer
- Plant range
- Temp. N. Hemisphere
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in humus-rich, moist but very well-drained, alkaline or neutral soil in light shade
Propagation
Propagate by detaching individual rosettes and rooting as cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Low Maintenance
- Garden edging
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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