Micranthes pensylvanica

RHS Plant Profile
swamp saxifrage

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swamp saxifrage RHS
swamp saxifrage RHS

Synonyms

Saxifraga pensylvanica

Herbaceous Perennial

A basal rosette of leathery, oblong leaves up to 25cm long. In spring, stout stems up to 1m tall bear branched clusters of small, greenish-yellow flowers

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–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
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
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
Plant Range
E North America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows best in partial shade in wet soils; suitble for boggy ground and pond margins

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free