Saxifraga 'Rubrifolia' (_fortunei_) (5)

RHS Plant Profile
saxifrage 'Rubrifolia'

Synonyms

Saxifraga 'Purpurea' (_fortunei_)

Award of Garden Merit
Herbaceous Perennial

A compact deciduous perennial to 20cm tall, with rounded, bluntly lobed and toothed, red-tinged leaves, wine-red beneath, and deep red stems bearing airy sprays of white flowers 1cm wide in late summer and autumn

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

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

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full shade Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Saxifragaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
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
Accepted
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 well-drained, moist, humus rich soil in deep or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed in autumn in containers in an open frame. Individual rosettes can be detached in spring as root cuttings in late spring or early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Rock garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Garden edging
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

vine weevils may be a problem

Diseases

Generally disease-free