Saxifraga

The Saxifrage genus, or Saxifraga, has more than 300 species, originating mainly from mountainous areas. A perennial, rarely annual herbaceous plant. Common species are widely used in decorative gardening, in particular in rock gardens. Leaves - in a basal rosette, stems are short. Flowers are solitary, on thin peduncles or in inflorescences (paniculate and corymbose) of yellow, white, red, purple color. They grow easily, forming solid carpets on the ground. Many species are grown as ornamental plants in gardens and rooms. Some saxifrages are adapted for breeding in hanging baskets and pots. Saxifrage oppositifolia (Saxifraga oppositifolia), which is characterized by low (up to 4 cm) rosettes with dark green, fleshy, densely growing leaves. Single flowers on a short peduncle, up to 1 cm in diameter, red-purple shades. Saxifrage paniculate, or tenacious (S. paniculate), easily growing a continuous carpet species. Leaves in rosettes up to 5 cm high, broadly linear toothed from light green to bluish-green in color. Red or yellowish thin peduncles grow up to 25 cm; the flowers are white with pink spots. Saxifrage shade (S. umbrosa) - a plant up to 12 cm in diameter with slightly shiny dark green (purple below) leaves. The flowers are small white, crimson in the center, collected in paniculate inflorescences up to 30 cm high. Growing, it forms solid carpets; shade-tolerant appearance, so it can be used for landscaping poorly lit areas. Blooms virtually all summer. The species of saxifrage (S. stolonifora) has long, thread-like whiskers of red color. The variety 'Tricolor' is characterized by red and green leaves with white spots, with an uneven white or pink-brown edge.

The Saxifrage genus, or Saxifraga, has more than 300 species, originating mainly from mountainous areas. A perennial, rarely annual herbaceous plant. Common species are widely used in decorative gardening, in particular in rock gardens. Leaves - in a basal rosette, stems are short. Flowers are solitary, on thin peduncles or in inflorescences (paniculate and corymbose) of yellow, white, red, purple color. They grow easily, forming solid carpets on the ground. Many species are grown as ornamental plants in gardens and rooms. Some saxifrages are adapted for breeding in hanging baskets and pots.

Saxifrage oppositifolia (Saxifraga oppositifolia), which is characterized by low (up to 4 cm) rosettes with dark green, fleshy, densely growing leaves. Single flowers on a short peduncle, up to 1 cm in diameter, red-purple shades.

Saxifrage paniculate, or tenacious (S. paniculate), easily growing a continuous carpet species. Leaves in rosettes up to 5 cm high, broadly linear toothed from light green to bluish-green in color. Red or yellowish thin peduncles grow up to 25 cm; the flowers are white with pink spots.

Saxifrage shade (S. umbrosa) - a plant up to 12 cm in diameter with slightly shiny dark green (purple below) leaves. The flowers are small white, crimson in the center, collected in paniculate inflorescences up to 30 cm high. Growing, it forms solid carpets; shade-tolerant appearance, so it can be used for landscaping poorly lit areas. Blooms virtually all summer.

The species of saxifrage (S. stolonifora) has long, thread-like whiskers of red color. The variety 'Tricolor' is characterized by red and green leaves with white spots, with an uneven white or pink-brown edge.

Cultivation

Saxifrages are mainly used for decorating mixborders, rock gardens, stony gardens, walls, for creating borders in various flower beds, in pot culture. With the exception of marsh saxifrage (S. hirculus) and moss saxifrage (S. muscoides), which need moist soil, they are suitable for non-raw, well-drained, sandy loam or loamy, humous, with a neutral soil p H. Some species prefer calcareous, even rocky areas. Plants are planted at a distance of 20-40 cm from each other, depending on their maximum height and diameter. When growing in pots, special attention is paid to drainage - a layer of eggshells is placed on the bottom, in a hanging basket, the walls are laid out with a thick layer of moss. It is best to plant saxifrages near large stones, near boulders.

Location

They are recommended to be placed in the shade of other plants or in a well-lit, ventilated area. Do not expose to the sun during the hottest hours.

Temperature

Most species are frost-resistant. Some plants, such as saxifrage, grow successfully in climates with moderately warm winters (temperatures not lower than 0-5 °C). The optimal summer temperature is 16-18 °C. At temperatures above these values, it is recommended to increase the humidity by spraying the foliage.

Watering

In spring or summer, watering should be plentiful for most species (when it is very hot, it is necessary to spray the leaves with water). In autumn or winter, allow the soil to dry out between watering.

Transplant

Transplanted into a new pot usually once every 1-2 years in the spring, using the soil recommended for growing. In the garden, under favorable conditions, it can grow for a long time without transplanting.

Care

Remove faded inflorescences and damaged, dried parts of plants.

Reproduction

Propagated by seeds, rhizome, axillary bulbs. In culture, they are propagated mainly by dividing bushes, separate rosettes, and seeds. Rosettes are separated after flowering, in late summer. Seeds are sown in boxes without embedding in the soil.

Diseases

If the humidity of the environment is too high, spots from fungi of the genera Cercosporella, Septoria, etc. appear on the leaves. It is recommended to carry out treatment with copper-based preparations or zinc. Powdery mildew of grapes occurs in hot, humid environments. In this case, the plants are treated with appropriate anti-oidium drugs or sulfur. Rust is caused by various fungi - pustules form on the leaves. Treatment is carried out with dithiocarbamates or copper-containing preparations. Of the pests, most often saxifrage is affected by worms. Delete them manually and sprayed with anticoccidal drugs. Green aphids cover the leaves with a black sticky coating, and pirimor is used to control this insect.

Acquisition

The most common species of the Saxifrage genus are easily found on sale. Check that there are no signs of pest or disease damage on the leaves.