Purple Mountain Saxifrage

'Ruth Draper' is an exceptionally large-flowered and vigorous cultivar of our native Purple Mountain Saxifrage. It is one of the earliest signs of life in the alpine garden, often blooming as early as February or March. It forms a low mat of tiny, scale-like dark green leaves which are almost completely hidden by the large, cup-shaped flowers of a rich, rosy-purple. This plant is a true high-alpine and, in the UK, it performs best in a cool, damp but perfectly drained position. It is extremely hardy (H7) but can struggle with the heat and drought of a typical English summer; therefore, a north or east-facing slope or a position shaded by a large rock is ideal. It is a magnificent plant for a trough or a scree bed where its early-season brilliance can be fully appreciated. Regular top-dressing with fine grit helps to keep the stems healthy and encourages new roots.碎,flowering_months:[