Livelong Saxifrage

A beautiful and robust member of the 'silver' saxifrage group, this plant forms stunning rosettes of narrow, strap-shaped, lime-encrusted leaves. The silver-grey foliage is highly decorative year-round. In early summer, it sends up tall, arching, reddish stems that carry panicles of numerous small, pure white flowers. The overall effect is incredibly elegant. Native to the mountains of Southern Europe, it is well-suited to the UK garden, particularly when planted in a vertical crevice or on a north-facing slope where its roots can stay cool while the foliage enjoys the light. It is very hardy and lime-tolerant, as the name suggests. The 'silver' on the leaves is actually excreted lime, which helps the plant conserve water. It is a very long-lived plant that slowly forms large, impressive clumps. It is an essential component of any traditional rock garden or tufa wall, providing both architectural foliage and graceful floral displays every year.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Well-drained, alkaline/calcareous soil.

Hardiness: H5 — down to −15°C.

Flowering: May, Jun.