Saxifraga arendsii
Mossy saxifrage
Common names: Saxifrage
At a glance
- Light
- Partial shade
- Pot size
- from 2 l
- Lifespan
- Perennial
- Flowering
- Apr–May
- Hardiness
- Hardy
Photo: Hectonichus · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Description
Saxifraga arendsii forms dense, moss‑like cushions that become a true carpet of flowers in spring. From mid‑April to May (week 16 to 20) countless small flowers in white, pink or red appear amid fine green foliage. The cushions stay green year‑round, providing structure to rock gardens, hedges and wall crowns even outside the flowering period. As a hardy perennial it tolerates dry spells as well as cool, semi‑shaded sites and is excellent as a groundcover between stones.
Care instructions
Plant in a semi‑shaded to sunny spot with well‑drained, humus‑rich soil; avoid wet, soggy areas. Water regularly during the first weeks after planting, then water only during prolonged dry spells. After May’s bloom, lightly prune spent shoots to encourage denser growth and often a second, weaker late‑summer bloom. Every three to four years, divide the cushions in early autumn to keep them vigorous and to propagate new plants. The variety ‘Alpenglühen’ and the wild form are reliably winter hardy and need no special winter protection.
The care notes were machine-translated from German.
Garden year
FloweringApr–May
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, humus-rich, lean, sandy
Mossy saxifrage likes well-drained, rather lean soil that is not permanently wet. On heavy, compacted soils, mix in sand or fine gravel so that waterlogging in winter has no chance. A humus portion helps the plant through dry summer weeks, but it must not become too rich in nutrients. It tolerates lime well, but this is not a must.
Feeding
Light feeder
As an undemanding cushion perennial, mossy saxifrage manages without additional feeding. Some well-rotted compost in spring is quite enough to support new growth. Overly generous doses of nutrients rather make the cushions soft and prone to disease, so it is better to stay restrained.
Overwintering
Mossy saxifrage is hardy and stays outdoors in the bed. A well-drained site is important, so that no water collects in the cushions in winter and makes them rot. In very snow-poor, frosty winters, it appreciates a loose cover of brushwood as protection from drying winds.
Propagation
Methods
- Division
- Cuttings
The easiest way is to divide the cushions in early spring or after flowering in early summer. To do so, cut out a piece of the cushion with roots and replant it straight away in a new spot. Alternatively, small, rooted shoot tips can be separated as cuttings and set in a sandy-humus substrate. Keep the new pieces evenly moist for the first weeks until they are well established.
For your garden
Grow Mossy saxifrage yourself
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