Saxifrage 'Cranbourne'

Saxifraga 'Cranbourne' is a highly regarded Kabschia hybrid that is a staple of UK alpine collections. It forms a low, spreading cushion of tiny, encrusted, grey-green rosettes that are very firm to the touch. This cultivar is famous for its exceptionally large, stemless flowers of a rich, deep rose-pink, which appear in early spring. The flowers are so numerous that they create a solid dome of pink, making it one of the most florist-like of all the early saxifrages. It is fully hardy (H5) but, like many of its kind, it prefers a site that is cool and out of the most intense midday sun, which can scorch the delicate petals and bleach the foliage. It is ideally suited to a stone trough, a scree bed, or a crevice between stones in a rockery. A top-dressing of grit is essential to keep the cushion dry and prevent rot. It is relatively easy to grow compared to some of its more Temperamental cousins.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Gritty, well-drained, alkaline to neutral soil.

Hardiness: H5 — down to −15°C.

Flowering: Marbase, Aprbase.