Micranthes nivalis

RHS Plant Profile
snowy saxifrage

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Other common names

alpine saxifrage, sengreen, white mountain saxifrage

Synonyms

Saxifraga nivalis

Herbaceous Perennial Alpine Rockery

A compact perennial comprising loose basal rosettes of oblong to ovate, toothed, leathery leaves often with dark red undersides. Hairy, reddish flowering stems to 20cm tall appear from late spring into summer bearing small flowerheads packed with white to pink flowers

Position

Full sun, 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 or Poorly–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral or Acid

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Saxifragaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Matforming
Genus
A genus of herbaceous flowering plants native to north temperate arctic and alpine regions. Green or red basal foliage forms low-growing rosettes and can be straight-edged or serrated. Delicate, star-shaped white flowers appear on upright stems in the summer
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows best in partial shade in wet soils

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by detaching individual rosettes and rooting as cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Rock garden
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free