Home › Wall Gardening › Wall Gardening: Saxifraga

Wall Gardening: Saxifraga

Saxifraga, Rockfoil. There are innumerable varieties of Saxifraga varying greatly in height and habit of growth. While perfectly hardy, they sometimes perish when planted in hot, dry situations. Generally speaking, partial shade is beneficial although they will thrive in full sun. It is advisable to water the plants during hot, dry weather. Propagate by seeds and divisions.

Varieties. Megasea, rosy-pink blooms in May.

The Mossy Saxifraga is white and also blooms in May. Sedums are of the simplest culture, often succeeding in poor, dry soils where other plants refuse to flourish. They have no special requirements but are intolerant of badly drained situations and are benefited by an admixture of sand in the soil. They can be raised from seed, but old plants spread rapidly and can readily be increased by their offsets.

Varieties. Sexangulare, yellow, blooms in July.

Acre (Golden Moss), yellow, May and June. Album, white, June, July. Coccineum, brilliant rose or carmine, July and August. Kamtschaticum, yellow, June. Sieboldii, pink, September. Spectabile, pink, blooms in September, the least desirable of all. [117] Silene Alpestris is a pretty plant with white flowers that come in July; its habit of growth is trailing, so it should be planted where it can droop over the rocks below it. Propagate by cuttings or division.

Tunica Saxifraga is perfectly hardy and has a spreading habit of growth; it blooms in July and the color is pink.

Veronica, Speedwell. The varieties of veronica listed below are excellent for use in the rock or wall garden, being low growing and creeping in their habit of growth. Propagate by seeds, or by root divisions made in spring only. It is advisable to give the plants a covering of leaves for winter protection. Veronica prefers a rich soil and plenty of sun although it will bloom in partial shade.

Varieties. Repens, blue, blooms in May. Incana, wooly gray foliage, blooms in July. Prostrata, blue, blooms in May. Rupestris, bright blue, late May, June. Rupestris Alba, white, late May, June. [118]