MeetingsQuestions?PublicationsSeeds BooksGardensSlides & VideosLinksSite Map

December 1997
Sempervivum species

November 1997
Allium thunbergii

October 1997
Gentiana scabra

September 1997
Sedum cauticola

August 1997
Allium senescens glaucum

July 1997
Delphinium tatsienense

June 1997
Dianthus gratianopolitanus

May 1997
Penstemon rupicola

April 1997
Tulipa tarda

March 1997
Iris reticulata

February 1997
Saxifraga longifolia

Archive 2004

Archive 2003

Archive 2002

Archive 2001

Archive 2000

Archive 1999

Archive 1998

Plant of the Month

February 1997

Saxifraga longifolia

Saxifraga longifolia, a native of the Pyrenees Mountains, is a member of one the most important of genera for alpine gardeners. A number of saxifrages absorb mineral-laden water and expel the excess calcium salts to the edges of their leaves, producing an encrusted effect.

Saxifraga longifolia produces solitary foliage rosettes 6" (15 cm) across. Unlike most of its relatives it does not produce offsets. It takes several years to bloom, producing a long (~2' ,or 60 cm) and showy, branched panicle of a hundred or more small white flowers, dying after producing its seeds.

Encrusted saxifrages of which S. longifolia is a member cannot take full sun despite their hard look. S. longifolia is best planted in a vertical crevice between two rocks in a shaded location.