Saxifrage
Saxifraga fortunei
Family: Saxifragaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Late fall. Form: Rounded.
Saxifraga fortunei is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.4
Where it is found
Wet shaded rocks by streams in the mountains and down to sea-level in the north of its range. Forests and rock crevices at elevations of 2200 - 2900 metres in Hubei, S Jilin and Liaoning.
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Siberia.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Young leaves - cooked. They are added to soups or cooked with rice.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Alpine garden, Container, Ground cover, Massing, Rock garden, Woodland garden. Prefers a cool position in a moist humus-rich soil. Prefers an acid soil. Grows well in light woodland or in a shady position in a rock garden. The plant is hardy to at least -15°c, the leaves and the flowers, however, are liable to be damaged by autumn frosts. A polymorphic species, there are several named forms selected for their ornamental value. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Naturalizing.
Propagating it: Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame in the spring. Surface sow, or only just cover the seed, and make sure that the compost does not dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring after the last expected frosts. Division in spring. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; North Wall. In. East Wall. In.
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 6-9
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade
Moisture: Moist