Saxifrages for all.

Saxifrages for all, open garden, and dry scree beds; troughs are good for them too.

Many gardeners have Saxifrages growing and some may not even be aware that they are growing them. Here is the hot dry climate of Geelong, every third garden has them.

Although this site is called Alpines and Bulbs, the word bulb has attracted the wider reader. And, I think I made it clear from day one; I'm not a purist when it comes to growing....

Saxifrages are one of the very popular and attractive alpines grown by plant enthusiasts the world over. Depending on the botanical authority cited, this is a genus of some 480 to 490ish species of both perennials and annuals from the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere and across the equator into South America to Tierra De Fuego and into Asia.

In the main they are mat forming evergreen perennials,sometimes referred to as hummock forming.

Some species are also clump forming and are deciduous.

The leaves of Saxifrages usually form a rosette and vary from simple to deeply lobed.

Flowers on Saxifrages are five petalled and are solitary or sometimes borne in small to large panicles.

I have never bothered growing these from seed, for I have been blessed with the circle of growing friends who are addicted to this family; when I want a particular flower type within Saxifrages, I swap my addiction, the smaller bulbs; for theirs.

The best species within this genus are supreme plants for the enthusiast to grow in the open rock garden, dry scree beds - as I do - or in troughs. If you have a dry stone garden wall, they thrive here tucked into the crevices, growing in full sun to part shade.

Online there are many sites to visit, even one of our good authors here at 101, did an excellent article last year on Saxifrages, Diana's article can be found in the discussion on Saxifrages Fan; so too can many photos of Saxifrages be seen.

The Enabling Garden-Published on June 5,1985. Author Diana Pederson.

http://206.186.163.160/article.cfm/enabl...

Propagation is best from seed when ripe, or sown in spring.

Division after flowering, when the plant is still in active growth is another good method of propagation. If taking cuttings, these should be done in late summer, and treated the same as any other cuttings, one takes.

Although most Saxifrages are spring flowering, there are those which flower in late summer and into Fall.

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