Saxifrage is famous for varieties with completely different characteristics of inflorescences and foliage. Most varieties are unpretentious in care, which makes the flower extremely popular.
Biological description
Saxifrage is a herbaceous perennial plant. Belongs to the Kamnelomkov family. The largest genus in the number of species in this family. Some species are listed in the Red Book.
Open Saxifrage
Additional Information! This name was given to the flower due to its ability to grow in rocky environments that are poor in nutrients, including on the slopes of mountains.
The height of the plant may vary depending on the species, from 5 to 70 cm. The leaves come in different shapes, like inflorescences. Most varieties have a grayish calcareous coating on the surface of the leaf. Some species in appearance resemble moss. The flowers are small. Flowering is long.
Popular types and varieties
The saxifrage flower, which species are very diverse, is very often used in landscape design.
Arends Saxifrages
The variety belongs to the moss-like saxifrage variety and is most common among gardeners. The height of the plant is 10-20 cm. The leafy part is similar to round soft pillows. Foliage of a saturated green hue, inflorescences rise on a long peduncle. The flowers are white or pink. The flowering period falls on the end of May - the beginning of June.
Three-fork saxifrage
The height of the foliage is only 5-7 cm. The hybrid is used as a groundcover. The leaves are carved, dark green, thick. Petioles of raspberry color. Flowers bloom on long peduncles. Inflorescences of a white shade, five-petalled.
Paniculata saxifrage
Saxifraga paniculata saxifraga paniculata is distinguished by fleshy peaked leaves. There is a bluish coating on the surface of the sheet. Inflorescences are white and yellow. The flowers are small, collected in panicles. He prefers to grow on soil rich in lime.
Paniculata saxifrage
Saxifrage Shadow
Species saxifraga shadow saxifraga urbium variegata prefers to grow in partial shade. The saxifrage foliage is shady, lush, saturated green, 10-15 cm high. The saxifrage shade Variegata blooms in May-June. The flowers are small, white, inconspicuous.
Wattlebreaker Saxifraga
The species belongs to indoor plants. In summer, a saxifrage can be planted as an ampel plant on the street. Foliage oval, covered with soft villi. The leaves are green with white stripes, the underside is purple. Indoor flower is distinguished by nondescript flowers. It blooms from May to September.
Saxifraga Soddy
The height of the plant reaches 20 cm. The colors of the inflorescences are white, red and pink. The flowering period is from May to June. The leafy outlet grows well. The flower can grow even on weakly acidic and nutrient-poor soil. Virtually no need for feeding.
Additional Information! In home gardens, the most commonly planted saxifrage are Purple mantle, Clarence, Cotyledon, Flamingo, Harvest Moon, and Hosta's saxifrage.
Moss-like saxifrage
It differs in creeping shoots. The foliage is dense, emerald. The edges are dissected into thin shoots. The flowers are small, milky. This name was given to the variety because of its resemblance to moss.
Saxifraga rotundifolia
The saxifrage round-leaved grows from 15 to 60 cm. The foliage is dense, rounded. The edges are serrated. It blooms from June to August. Flowers appear on long pedicels, collected in panicles. The flowers are white, with red dots on the petals.
Other species and varieties
Description of other varieties:
- The marsh saxifrage is listed in the Red Book of the Moscow Region. The height of the plant varies from 10 to 40 cm. The stems are erect, foliage of a dark swamp color. Yellow flowers.
- Saxifrage snowy grows mainly in the Arctic. The height of the plant is about 20 cm. The leaves are green-red. The flowers are white, small, collected in large spherical inflorescences. The stalk is single, the leaves on it do not grow. Flowering period in the middle of summer.
- The saxifrage saccillifolia grows in the tundra zone. Leaves are small, opposite. The stems form lush green thickets. The flowers are pink in color, by the end of summer become purple, solitary. In diameter up to 2 cm. Blossom closer to early spring. The view is used to design alpine hills. The variety is listed in the Red Book of the Murmansk region.
- The Manchurian saxifrage is distinguished by variegated leaves. Refers to dwarf plants, forms a lot of roots. The root system is located close to the soil. The leaves are dense, dark green. The flowers are pink, collected in loose inflorescences. Blooming twice a year - in summer and closer to autumn. She prefers to grow in dark areas where there is diffused light.
- Saxifraga crucifolia prefers to grow in meadows and marshy soils. As it grows, loose wood forms. Foliage is wedge-shaped, swamp color. The touch is very tough. The flowers are small, yellow. Five-leafed in shape. Flowering period from June to July. Winter-hardy, unpretentious culture. She prefers to grow in partial shade in a soil rich in calcium.
Snowbreaker
Features of plant care and cultivation
Saxifrage houseplant is unpretentious. In order for it to grow normally, it is enough to properly organize care and maintain it. Growing conditions:
- Does not need frequent watering. Irrigate the soil as it dries. After the saxifrage flower indoor grows, he will retain moisture in the soil.
- Weeding the soil is not necessary. You only need to regularly pull out weeds.
- Shelter is not required for the winter. Since the plant is home to the north, it can survive even very severe frosts.
The flower is resistant to diseases and pests. Illnesses may appear due to improper care.
Important! Overdrying the soil can lead to the appearance of a spider mite. Excessive moisture can cause powdery mildew and rust. The most dangerous pests are aphids and bugs.
Pest and Disease Control
Saxifrages are combated with the following methods:
- by spraying with copper preparations;
- spider mites use insecticides;
- powdery mildew helps treatment with Fundazole;
- from the worm helps spraying Karbofos;
- with rust, the plant is cut off the affected leaves and sprayed with its foundationazole;
- aphids are destroyed by spraying with a soapy solution with the addition of ash.
Do not do without fertilizing the soil. It is not advisable to use nitrogen-containing substances as fertilizer.
On a note! It is best to water the bushes with superphosphate or use bone meal.
Feeding and reproduction
Domestic plants feed the whole year. You can use the same fertilizers as for outdoor plants. In spring and summer, top dressing is applied every 2 weeks. Autumn once every 45 days. In winter, once every two months.
A flower propagates in several ways. The most common - cuttings and division of the bush. You can start reproduction only after flowering. How does the cuttings go:
- Press long shoots (antennae) to the ground and fix.
- Sprinkle with soil, water and make sure that the soil is always moistened.
- In the autumn, mulch the soil and cover it with foliage.
- In the spring, you need to check how the mustaches are rooted and cut them from the mother plant.
- Drop off separately.
For reproduction by dividing the bush, adult, well-grown bushes are suitable. Dig a plant and chop the rhizome into several parts (not very small). Seed them in new places. They take root quickly. Immediately after transplanting, the soil is abundantly watered with warm water.
Homemade plant
Landing in open ground:
- seeds can be planted immediately in open ground;
- seedlings should appear in 2-3 weeks, if after this time they have not ascended, then they will not sprout;
- before sowing, peat, soddy soil and river sand are added to the soil;
- the distance between the seedlings before transplanting is 20 cm.
For planting seedlings, it is better to choose a dark and dry place. The main thing is that moisture does not stagnate.
Note! When grown in southern regions, where the scorching sun, you will have to create blackout. In the sun, the plant will die.
Saxifrage is an interesting plant native to the north. It is able to survive even severe frosts, which is why it has become so common in the middle lane, where frosts can hit sharply.
