Gardening Magazine

Plant of Te Week: Saxifraga Rotundifolia

By Davis Landscape Architecture @DavisLandArch

Saxifraga rotundifolia (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Saxifraga rotundifolia (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Partial shade

Flowering period: Summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 20cm (60cm with flower stem)

Eventual Spread: 30cm

Hardiness: 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a

Family: Saxifragaceae

Saxifraga rotundifolia is an evergreen perennial with a spreading habit. Its mid green fleshy leaves are orbicular with dentate margins, up to 5cm long, 5cm broad and appear in rosettes. Its white five petaled flowers are spotted with pink and yellow, up to 15mm across and appear as a panicle above the leaves on red stems. Its fruit is an ellipsoid capsule. Its roots are stolons which aids its spread.

Saxifraga rotundifolia Flower (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Saxifraga rotundifolia Flower (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Saxifraga  rotundifolia, commonly known as the Round Leaved Saxifrage, is native to central and southern Europe. In its native habitat it grows in damp and shady places.

The etymological root of the binomial name Saxifraga is derived from the Latin meaning ‘stone breaker’. Rotundifolia is derived from the Latin rotundus meaning ‘circular’ and folium meaning ‘leaf’.

The landscape architect may find Saxifraga rotundifolia useful as a low ground cover in combination with other low ground cover perennials, particularly in shady locations.

Ecologically, Saxifraga rotundifolia flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Saxifraga rotundifolia Leaf (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Saxifraga rotundifolia Leaf (23/06/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Saxifraga  rotundifolia prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Saxifraga  rotundifolia requires little maintenance.


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