Saxifrage

This plant is most often found in its natural habitat on the river coastal slopes in the mountains. Saxifrage is not a very whimsical culture, while its appearance has decorative qualities. Saxifrage can be found everywhere in Russia, in various climatic zones. She took root well both in the Caucasus and in the harsh conditions of the tundra. Some species are native to countries such as China, Japan and Africa.

The name of such a plant is quite telling, from Latin it means “to break stones”. There is also a synonym for this name, the saxifrage was often called "tear-grass". Both names are associated with the fact that when settling between stones in mountainous areas, a thin but powerful root system of plants is capable of destroying the stone after some time. At the same time, a kind of green pads with a dense texture are formed.

The saxifrage blooms quite abundantly, as a rule, this time falls in June. The surface of the stones looks very beautiful under elegant flowers of a yellow hue or white with a pink tone. Therefore, this culture can be a great addition to your Japanese rock garden or alpine slide. Cultivars that do not grow too tall and that form a dense carpet can easily fill the gap between the stone paths.

The saxifrage will look good on the banks of artificial water bodies made of stone. Saxifrage grows well even in a shaded area.

There are varieties of saxifrage, which are included in the list of protected plants in the Red Book of Russia. These include columnar saxifrage, milk saxifrage and some others.

Complete characteristic of saxifrage

 

This plant is perennial herbaceous representative of Umbrella crops. This is a rather unpretentious plant in growing conditions. The saxifrage can be found in a meadow or on a slope in the steppe, in various forests, along roads. Saxifrage is widespread in Asia, Europe, often found in the temperate climate of our country.

In its height, such a flower can vary from fifteen to eighty centimeters. The main shoot grows straight. The inner part of the stem is hollow, on the outside it has a ribbed texture. The leaves are grouped into rosettes that are located in close proximity to the roots of the plant. The upper part of the plant has almost no stems. In shape, the leaf plate is pinnate, divided into pairs, from three to five pieces. The foliage, which is located in the lower part of the plant, has a more elongated shape, reaching from ten to twenty centimeters in length, there is a petiole. At the edges, the leaf has rather large teeth. The central part of the stem is covered with leaves that have no petioles, they are wedge-shaped. The leaves located in the upper part have linear lobes.

The root system of the saxifrage is quite long, it can reach about twenty centimeters, the width is about one and a half meters. The root system resembles a spindle in shape, it branches rather strongly. The roots are brown.

The inflorescence of this plant consists of an umbrella, which includes from six to twelve rays. The petals are small, no more than one millimeter. As a rule, they are white or pinkish in color. Each flower has five stamens. This culture blooms in the first month of summer.The end of flowering falls on the first days of August. After flowering ends, egg-shaped seeds are formed, in their length, as a rule, reach from two to two and a half millimeters.

Saxifrage belongs to the family of the same name Saxifrage. Not a very whimsical culture that is grown in gardens. Grows well even in shaded areas, sometimes an evergreen. Under natural conditions, about four hundred and forty varieties grow. Typically, plants are perennial.

In the zone of the root system, there are rosettes, which consist of rounded leaf plates with green or bluish colors. Flowers are bisexual, clustered in inflorescences that resemble tassels or panicles in shape. One inflorescence includes several flowers, each of which has five petals. During the flowering period, saxifrage flowers can have different colors. It depends on which look you have chosen. There are flowers in pink, white, red or lilac. After the flowering has ended, a capsule is formed, which opens up along its partitions. During the growing season, different varieties of saxifrage reach different heights. One variety can grow a few centimeters, while another species of a given crop can reach a height of half a meter.

As a rule, this plant grows in northern latitudes, where the climatic conditions are rather harsh. Saxifrage is often found on mountainous terrain where glaciers are present. In this case, the soil usually contains quite a lot of peat and lime.

Saxifrage varieties

 

Within this culture, there are a fairly large number of varieties. According to various sources, the total number of saxifrage species is from three hundred seventy to four hundred and forty. About one hundred and thirty can be found in our country. Eighty of them are cultivated.

There are saxifrage, which are intended for home cultivation, and there are also varieties for gardens. The latter tolerate low temperatures and severe winters well. Most often, flower lovers choose the braided variety for home purposes. It is not difficult to grow such a species at home. Such a plant does not show special requirements for the level of illumination and humidity. Even a novice florist can handle the cultivation of a room saxifrage. Such a plant can be safely grown as an ampelous culture, which is most conveniently placed in a hanging planter. A cascade of red stems with medium-sized rosettes looks very decorative.

There are varieties that thrive in difficult weather conditions, for example, in the tundra, where the soil has a minimum of nutrients. Saxifrage can be found between stones, along lake and river banks. Such persistent can be called snow, polar, drooping saxifrage. Polar saxifrage is found in almost the entire Arctic. It grows, as a rule, on the rocks; on the fifteenth of July, the mountain range is covered with beautiful lilac flowers. Saxifrage varieties that grow in northern latitudes usually bloom in June. This applies to uncultivated varieties. As for the cultivated saxifrage, it can begin to bloom as early as March, after the snow cover melts. Sometimes a plant literally makes its way through a layer of snow. Such plants have rather dense thick leaves, this protects the plant from strong winds.

In addition to the above varieties, there is a saxifrage, which prefers swampy terrain for life. Such species grow in swamps, along rivers and waterlogged meadows. Swamp species grow in the north of Asia and Europe.

Some varieties of saxifrage may resemble a succulent in appearance. Thick, with a fleshy structure, leaf plates are grouped into rosettes, which are located in the zone of the root system. There is a variety of saxifrage, which is called inlaid. The leaves of such a plant have many small hairs. The shady variety of saxifrage has dark green leaves, on which there are stripes of a light shade. Paniculate saxifrages, as they gain in growth, form rosettes, which consist of green leaves with a bluish tint.

There are such varieties of saxifrage, according to which you cannot say that this plant belongs to this particular family. For example, granular saxifrage has a fairly short growing season. Flowering ends in May, after which the part of the plant, which is located on the surface of the earth, dies off. Gardeners often plant a terry saxifrage on their plots.

Shadow saxifrage.

 

This type of saxifrage is quite popular in temperate climates. This plant is calm about shading and low temperatures. Shade saxifrage is a perennial herb, reaching a height of about eight centimeters. A lot of rosettes are formed, they look like a thick carpet, which is painted in a dark green color. The leaf plate has a leathery texture, reaching a maximum of five centimeters in size, the surface has fine hairs. The inflorescence is quite thin, the peduncle grows about fifteen centimeters. The flowers themselves are grouped into white inflorescences that resemble panicles in shape.

It is not so difficult to care for this culture. The plant should be regularly and moderately watered, the soil around the saxifrage should be loose, and weeds should be regularly removed from the site.

Before planting saxifrage, you need to prepare the soil in advance. To do this, you need to lay a drainage layer on the bottom of the planting holes. In addition, you need to add additional food; humus is good for this. Once every thirty days in the summer, you need to make fertilizing based on minerals in the complex.

Such a saxifrage propagates by dividing the mother shrub. It is best for these purposes to give preference to a plant that is more than three years old. The division of the bush, as a rule, is done at the beginning of the spring. So young seedlings will have time to take root before the cold season comes. Reproduction by the seed method is also allowed, but this method is quite lengthy.

Thanks to the work of breeders from all over the world, at the moment there are many different varieties that have foliage in a wide variety of colors.

Marsh saxifrage.

 

This variety has synonyms. Such a saxifrage is sometimes called the Royal Eyes and a saxifrage goat.

This plant is a herbaceous perennial, which belongs to the family of Saxos. Stems grow straight, directed vertically, leaf plates are small, colored green. In its length, the leaf reaches from one to three centimeters. The leaves are grouped into rosettes, which are located in the zone of the root system. The flowers are quite small, have a bright yellow color and interspersed with an orange hue. The diameter of one flower is a maximum of twelve millimeters. This plant blooms from August to September.

Under natural conditions, such a plant can be found in our country, both in the harsh tundra and in the Caucasus. In addition, this saxifrage successfully grows in the territory of Ukraine, Asia and Belarus. It prefers, as a rule, river coasts, as well as well-watered meadows and marshlands.

The saxifrage is a very good honey plant.In addition, the flower has many health benefits. Herbs in folk medicine are used to prepare decoctions that help well with problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Also, such a decoction will be useful for people who have heart problems. The rhizomes of this plant can be a good base for compresses, which are good for skin problems.

Saxifrage Reed.

 

This variety is also perennial, the flowering is very beautiful. In its height, a plant with peduncles reaches up to thirty-five centimeters. The leaf plate is green, the foliage is grouped into rosettes, which are located at the very bottom. At the edges, the leaf is painted white. The inflorescence in its shape resembles a panicle, which is directed downward. Flowers are painted white. Such a plant blooms for almost one month. Most flowers can be seen in July. This plant is very popular with landscape designers. With the help of the Reed Saxifrage, Japanese gardens with a large number of stones, as well as alpine slides, are made.

Indoor saxifrage.

 

At home, this culture grows very well, but there are not so many varieties suitable for these purposes:

 

- Wicker saxifrage. For home conditions, varieties such as Harmest moon and Tricolor are most often chosen. The shape of such plants is falling, resembling a cascade. The shoots are quite elongated, colored red. Small rosettes with leaves.

 

- Saxifrage Cotyledon. From an external point of view, such a plant may resemble succulents. The inflorescences are quite lush and large.

 

- Stiff-leaved saxifrage.

 

Saxifrage, which is grown indoors, does not require much attention. It is best to place these flowers on a western, eastern or northern window sill. It is better not to choose the south window for these purposes. In summer, especially in the afternoon, plants will need to be moved into the shade. Indoor saxifrage are not too demanding on the composition of the soil; additional spraying is not required. Such plants practically do not get sick and are not affected by harmful insects.

Snezhnaya saxifrage.

 

This species loves to grow in areas where there is a lot of snow. This variety can be found even in the Arctic deserts. The root system of such a plant is very powerful, painted black, and the root is about six millimeters in diameter. Shoots in their height reach a maximum of twenty centimeters, while there is no foliage on the stem. The leaves are grouped in a rosette located at the base of the plant. The leaf plate is solid, has a green color with a pinkish tinge, the leaf is not even at the edges. The flowers are covered with small hairs. The inflorescence in its shape resembles a panicle, the flowers are not too large in size, the petals are white. The flowering period starts from the fifteenth of June. Such a plant can begin to bloom in July, it all depends on the climatic conditions of a particular growing region.

Saxifrage Wicker.

 

This variety is often also called the offspring saxifrage or shoot-bearing. Such a plant is well suited for growing at home. The stems of this plant are painted in a crimson hue, they are quite elongated, about sixty centimeters. The leaves are grouped in medium-sized rosettes, which are arranged in tiers. The leaf plate has a rounded shape, the base is shaped like a heart. The colors of the leaves are quite variegated, white and green. At the same time, on the back side, the leaf is crimson. All leaves have fine hairs.

The largest and most variegated leaves are grouped in a rosette, which is formed near the rhizome. There is much less foliage on the stems. The flowers are not large in size, as a rule, they are painted white or red.In indoor conditions, such a saxifrage can bloom from the spring to the end of autumn. Flowers that have already faded must be removed without fail.

This variety is in great demand among flower lovers. It is preferable for such a saxifrage to select a windowsill from the north, west or east side. Watering such a plant should be moderate, the temperature should be cool. At the same time, for saxifrage, which have bright leaves, a slightly higher temperature is required. There is no need to additionally humidify the air, and the soil should not be too wet. The transplant is carried out when the rhizomes cover the entire earthen lump in the pot. The new planting container should not be too deep. At the bottom you need to lay one - two centimeters of the drainage layer. Expanded clay is well suited for this. The soil for saxifrage should include peat, coarse sand, humus, leafy soil. From time to time, additional nutrients need to be added, this is done all year round with the help of mineral-based dressings. In order for the greens to grow more actively, it is recommended to use fertilizers that contain nitrogen.

Such a plant propagates by seed methods, as well as with the help of cuttings and rosettes. For the seeds to germinate better, you need to stratify them before sowing. This is done for two to three weeks. After the end of this procedure, containers with seeds should be covered with polyethylene and placed in a well-lit place; a window sill is well suited for this. In this case, the temperature should be about +20 degrees. After about a week, the first sprouts will hatch. After that, the film must be periodically removed so that the plants are tempered. After a couple of true leaves appear, when the seedlings become strong enough, they must be placed in separate containers. Be careful when watering your plants. This procedure is performed daily, but too much water cannot be used. Transplanting into a large container is made when the rhizomes are braided over the entire earthen lump in the pot. Some growers plant more than one outlet in one container, but several. So the decorativeness of the landings will be higher.

It is easier and faster to propagate saxifrage by grafting. Rosettes appear on the elongated stems, which contain small flowers. After flowering is over, the plants can be rooted along with the roots. For this, you can use either another container or the mother's pot. The container should be filled with humus (two parts), sand (one part) and turf soil (one part). After planting has been completed, the plants need to be thoroughly watered. Landings are retracted in a shaded area. Flowering, as a rule, of such a plant occurs in the second year.

The division of the bush is usually carried out at the beginning of the spring during the transplantation of the plant. For these purposes, you need to choose sufficiently mature plants. Each part of the mother bush should have a strong root system, as well as several leaves. This procedure should be carried out using a well-sharpened knife. The cut must be treated with charcoal.

Occasionally, flowers can suffer from pests such as spider mites, green aphids, thrips, or mealybugs. Such problems can appear due to too high a temperature. To combat pests, you need to treat flowers from time to time with special preparations - insecticides. Before use, you need to carefully study the attached instructions.

When growing saxifrage indoors, you can meet some difficulties:

 

- Plants may not have enough nutrition, which can lead to the fact that the shoots begin to stretch too actively upward, and the flowers may not wait.

 

- Saxifrage may stop growing due to nutritional deficiencies and sunlight.As a rule, this problem occurs during wintering.

 

- If the room is too warm and the light is too bright, then the leaves may become pale in color, and subsequently wilt.

 

- If, on the contrary, there is not enough lighting, then the color of the foliage may become inexpressive.

 

- If direct sunlight hits the plant, burns may occur on the leaf plates.

 

- If the soil is too waterlogged, white bloom may appear on the root system. This can lead to falling foliage and decay of the rhizome.

 

The saxifrage is perfectly grown at home, since this plant is not too whimsical to care for. In addition to its decorative appearance, saxifrage has beneficial properties for the human body. The broth and juice of saxifrage greens can help with skin problems. Such funds cope well with boils and other skin inflammations.

Panicle saxifrage.

 

This variety is quite common in gardens. This species copes well with low temperatures and difficult weather conditions. In honor of this, such a saxifrage is sometimes called "living saxifrage." Under natural conditions, such a plant can be found in the highlands in Europe and in the northern part of the United States. The paniculate saxifrage is quite compact in size, reaching a height of four to eight centimeters. It can grow well in soil, where there is little nutrition and stones predominate. The leaf blade is quite dense and has a leathery texture. The leaves are grouped into a rosette. Flowering usually occurs in June. The flowers are small and have a different color. They can be pale yellow, purple or pinkish. The inflorescence in its shape resembles a panicle, is located on a thin peduncle.

If you decide to plant this variety in your garden, then it is best to give preference to the crevices on the alpine slides. A slope with an eastern or northern exposure is well suited. The soil should be well fertilized; a mixture of humus, calcium and lime crumb is well suited for feeding the soil. It is imperative to lay a drainage layer at the bottom of the planting hole. Plants need to be watered often enough, but with a small amount of water. After watering, it will not be superfluous to loosen the soil. Flowers that have already faded need to be removed. There is no need to insulate the saxifrage for the winter. If the winter promises not to be too snowy, then it is recommended to cover the plants with sawdust and dry twigs.

Arends' saxifrage.

 

This plant is a perennial, it belongs to evergreen crops. In its care, such a saxifrage is not whimsical. This variety in its height reaches from ten to twenty centimeters. The leaves are grouped into a rosette. Leaf plates are different in shape. Thanks to the work of breeders, there are different varieties of this variety. The flower color can be yellow, red, pink or white.

The Purple Mantle variety is very popular. In its height, such a plant reaches about twenty-five centimeters. Numerous flowers grow into a thick purple carpet. One flower in diameter reaches from one to one and a half centimeters. Typically, the flowering period lasts a month. Flowering begins in May and ends in June. To make such a plant feel comfortable, it is better to choose an area where shadow will be present at noon. The soil must be nutritious and the drainage layer reliable. In a temperate climate on the territory of our country, it is allowed to sow seeds directly on an open area. In this case, the temperature should be at least +8 degrees. It is not worth deeply deepening the seeds, they need to be sprinkled with moistened sand and lightly tamped. The first sprouts will hatch after one month.Then the seedlings are thinned out, between the plants there should be a distance of eight to fifteen centimeters. When four to five real leaves appear, you need to start applying dressings. This is done once every two weeks.

Some growers prefer the seedling planting method more. In this case, seeds should be sown in March. The soil should be composed of sand and peat. It is imperative to carry out seed stratification for one month. This will make the seed grow better. After that, the container with crops must be placed in a lighted place, from time to time the polyethylene must be removed for air circulation and irrigation. The temperature regime should be maintained at about +20 degrees.

Saxifrage of the Purpurmantel variety is also in great demand among flower growers. This saxifrage loves well-hydrated soil, while coping well with dry weather. Such a saxifrage will be a great addition to a rock garden. In its height, this variety reaches about twenty centimeters. The plant blooms quite abundantly. The flowering period falls on the fifteenth of June. Such a flower is grown both in spring and autumn. You can plant a flower using seedlings, but direct sowing in the ground is also suitable.

There is nothing difficult in caring for such a plant. After the plant has bloomed, you need to remove the buds. Fertilizers need to be applied regularly, every two weeks. From time to time it is necessary to loosen the soil between plantings.

An interesting variety of this species of saxifrage is the Purple Carpet. It is a hybrid that is very compact in size. In height, such a plant reaches a maximum of seven centimeters. The root has the shape of a rod, the foliage is always green, the flowers are small with a purple color. Such a plant will be a good decoration for an alpine slide, the lower part of a flower garden. Such a saxifrage blooms with a thick purple carpet, which fully reflects the name of the variety.

The Floral Capet variety is also very popular. Flowering occurs between May and June. The flowers are very elegant, delicate, pinkish in color. For this variety, you need to choose an area with a lot of light. Considering the peduncles, the plant reaches a height of about twenty centimeters. Reproduction of this variety occurs with the help of seedlings. Landing on an open area is done in July. A distance of ten to twenty centimeters must be maintained between the plants.

Mossy saxifrage.

 

In appearance, this variety may resemble a soft pillow, which consists of moss. Under natural conditions, such a plant can be found in Europe, in the Alps. In its height, such a plant reaches from three to six centimeters. The stems are thin, capable of spreading and branching quite strongly. They have many small leaves. In its length, one sheet reaches only five to seven millimeters, and in width about one millimeter. There is one flower on the peduncle, which includes five petals. The petal grows by about six millimeters.

The easiest way to propagate such a plant is by dividing the bush in the fall. Before the cold weather comes, you need to have time to do this. This will allow the plant to take root. For these purposes, you need to separate the young stems along with the roots and foliage and move to another place. The soil must be moist. The distance between the bushes should be from ten to fifteen centimeters. Next year, the plants will already delight you with flowers and a beautiful green soft carpet.

Reproduction by seed method is also allowed. It will take more effort, but you will also get a lot of planting material. Before planting seeds, they need to be stratified for three weeks in the cold.Before sowing in open ground, it will not be superfluous to treat the ground with a disinfectant. The soil should be a mixture of sand and peat. The embedding of seeds is not deep, they just need to be scattered on the ground and a little sprinkled with sand. Glass or polyethylene is installed on top of the landing container. When the sprouts have hatched, the insulation can be removed.

In order for the plant to grow and develop normally, you need to regularly loosen the soil. This is done until the plants form a large solid carpet. Flowers that have already faded need to be removed. This will maintain a decorative appearance, and there will also be no risk that the plants will reproduce by self-sowing. This type of saxifrage is not afraid of low temperatures in winter if the plants are covered with snow. If there is little snow in winter, then it is necessary to additionally insulate the plants with the help of dry leaves and twigs.

Deciduous saxifrage.

 

This culture is a perennial and evergreen plant. This saxifrage blooms early enough. The buds are laid in the fall, and the saxifrage blooms until the end of August. This variety is quite compact in size, reaching a maximum of five to seven centimeters in height. Considering the peduncle, the height is about fifteen centimeters. The flowers have a red tint, when the flowering comes to an end, the color becomes darker, closer to lilac. This variety can be found in areas where the climatic conditions are rather harsh. Most often, such a saxifrage prefers tundra, rarely forest-tundra. In its natural habitat, this species is found on the territory of Greenland, in the rocky terrain of the Murmansk region, as well as in the Alps and the Carpathians.

Soddy saxifrage.

 

This variety is a herbaceous perennial plant, reaching about twenty centimeters in height. In natural conditions, it occurs on the territory of the tundra. Wild plants bloom with white flowers, while hybrids have pink or red flowers. Such a plant blooms, as a rule, in June. After flowering is over, a capsule is formed. Shoots grow straight, the surface has fine hairs. At the base level, the stem is divided into five parts.

If you have chosen such a variety for growing in your garden, then you need to carefully consider the composition of the soil. This saxifrage will not grow in swampy areas or in areas dominated by sand and heavy soil. At noon, the plants need to be shaded.

The seed method is suitable for reproduction. Planting material can be sown directly on an open area or use planting containers for this. The second option will produce stronger plants.

Sod saxifrage is a good medicine that has antiseptic properties. In folk medicine, rhizomes are used. Infusions and decoctions help to cope with various inflammations, as well as problems associated with the gastrointestinal tract.

Granular saxifrage.

 

This variety has many synonyms. It is called earthen berries, field mice, earthen buds. The stem grows upright and can vary in length from fifteen to forty centimeters. The surface has many hairs. The leaf plates are fixed on elongated petioles, which are assembled into a socket. The inflorescence is shaped like a brush. The flowers are white. The flowering period occurs in June, after which a box with a large number of seeds is formed. Reproduction can be carried out by vegetative methods. The habitat of such a saxifrage is Ukraine, Finland. It is under protection on the territory of the Leningrad and Pskov regions.

Such a plant is almost never used to decorate the landscape, but it is used very actively in folk medicine.For example, this type of saxifrage can help cope with jaundice.

Stiff-leaved saxifrage.

 

This type of saxifrage, as a rule, prefers swampy meadows. The habitat of such a plant is in the northern United States, Europe and Asia. The shoot is creeping in shape, reaching a length of about twenty centimeters. The foliage is quite tough, there are jags. Flowering occurs from mid-June to early July. The flowers are small, yellow in color. For normal growth and development of plants, the soil must contain quite a lot of calcium. It is better to choose a site that is slightly shaded so that the direct rays of the sun do not burn the plants.

This variety is well suited for growing at home. This saxifrage should be watered regularly. After midday planting, it is imperative to shade. In the summer period, containers with flowers are recommended to be exposed to the open air, while there should be no through wind. In summer, a temperature of +20 to +25 degrees is suitable for saxifrage. In winter, the temperature should not be higher than +15 degrees.

If you decide to grow this variety at home, then you need to maintain a sufficiently high level of humidity. For this purpose, you can use a tray filled with water, in which a container with flowers is placed. There should also be a layer of pebbles or expanded clay in the pallet. Water the plants carefully. Moisture should not get on the rosettes with leaves. So the flower can die. In winter, plants need to be watered less often, but the earthen coma should not be allowed to dry out.

Twice a month, from March to October, you need to add additional nutrition in the form of mineral fertilizers in the complex. In winter, one application of fertilizers in a couple of months is enough.

In the spring, saxifrage can be transplanted. The container should not be too deep. There should be a drainage layer at the bottom, as well as soil containing nutrients. A young plant is transplanted, as a rule, once a year. As for an adult plant, this procedure is carried out less often with it. You need to look at how much the root system has already filled the pot.

At home, it is most convenient to propagate saxifrage using shoots. Each shoot has buds of future roots. Rooting is fast enough. Such shoots can be rooted directly in the container where the main plant grows. You can also plant shoots in a new container.

Saxifrage cotyledon.

 

This variety can be found in mountainous areas such as the Alps. In appearance, such a saxifrage resembles a succulent. The leaf plates have a dense structure, there are no petioles, the leaves are grouped into a rosette. On the edges of the leaf there are small denticles that are covered with bloom. In its length, the sheet reaches about ten centimeters, in width no more than two centimeters.

This plant blooms in early May or June. The flower stalks are quite powerful, an inflorescence appears from the central part of the rosette, resembling a pyramid in its shape. Flowers are painted in white or pale pink.

The inflorescences are quite long, much higher than the plant itself. It can reach about sixty centimeters. The petal in its length grows by a maximum of one centimeter, elongated in shape.

Thanks to the work of breeders, quite a few varieties have been obtained that differ in color. This variety reproduces well by seed, as well as with the help of offspring. This saxifrage tolerates low temperatures well, in temperate climates it is able to survive wintering without additional insulation.

Manchurian saxifrage.

 

This type of saxifrage can be found in the Primorsky Territory, along the banks of various reservoirs in the forests. In its height, such a plant, including the peduncle, can reach about forty-five centimeters.The leaf plate has a rounded shape, the structure is quite dense. The leaves are colored green, grouped into a rosette. The petioles are elongated. This variety of saxifrage blooms from mid-July, flowering lasts about thirty to forty days. The flowers are miniature, painted in a pale pinkish color.

In cultivated form, this species almost never occurs, although it has a fairly strong immunity against various diseases and harmful insects. The saxifrage feels best on loose soil, with a lot of humus. Loam with a good drainage layer works well. It is better to give preference when choosing a site for landing a shaded place, not far from an artificial reservoir or in a composition on an alpine slide. Water such plants regularly, but with a small amount of water.

From time to time, the plant requires thinning. This is done, as a rule, once every five years by dividing the outlet. Parts of the outlet are seated at a distance of ten to fifteen centimeters from each other. At first, plants need to be watered often and abundantly. It is better to divide the outlet in the fall, before the first frosts come. So a young plant will have time to take root.

If you prefer the seed method of propagation, then it is best to do this using seedlings. Flowering will come next year. The seeds of the plant are very small, for this reason it is better to mix them with sand before sowing. The soil should include sand, peat, humus, and leafy soil. The seed placement is not deep, they only need to be pressed to the surface of the ground and sprayed with water from a spray bottle. After that, the container with crops is covered with polyethylene and stratified. To do this, the container must be placed in the refrigerator for three to four weeks. Transplant to open ground is carried out in June. In the first year, plants need to be covered with dry leaves and branches.

This variety has a fairly good resistance to harmful insects, however, too much moisture in the soil can provoke the appearance of root rot. If such a problem occurs, treat the planting with a copper-containing preparation, and also remove the parts of the plant that have been affected. If there is a long dry weather, then there is a risk that a spider mite will begin its activity on your plantings. To overcome this ailment, you need to use issecticidal agents.

Drooping saxifrage.

 

As a rule, this variety can be found in the northern part of the United States, Eurasia. The root system has a fibrous structure, rather thin. In their height, the stems grow a maximum of fifteen centimeters. Flowers form singly, are painted white. Each flower contains five petals. The leaf plates are held on elongated petioles. A maximum of three flowers can bloom on one plant. When the flowers fade, crimson bolls form. For landscape design, this variety is almost never used.

Round-leaved saxifrage.

 

Such a saxifrage has a fairly spreading bush shape, reaching a height of about thirty centimeters. Branched shoots, white flowers with red dots on the tips. They are not large in size. Such a plant blooms all summer. The leaf plate is rounded in shape, has notches at the edges. The foliage has petioles near the bases. When choosing a site for planting this plant, it is better to give preference to a shaded place. The soil must be sufficiently moist. Before direct planting, you need to take care of the presence of a drainage layer. Under natural conditions, such saxifrage can be found in the mountainous areas of Europe with a warm climate.

Long-leaved saxifrage.

 

Culturally, this type of saxifrage has been cultivated since 1871.The peduncle can grow in height by thirty to sixty centimeters. The inflorescence resembles a panicle in shape, the flowers are white in color, grow in length by one and a half centimeters. Flowering occurs in June. The foliage is whole, pointed at the edges. The rosette is twenty centimeters in diameter. This culture tolerates low temperatures well, can easily withstand up to -22 degrees.

If you grow this variety in the northern region, then for the winter the plants will have to be additionally insulated with spruce branches and dry leaves. Before planting saxifrage, you need to prepare the soil by adding limestone, peat, sand and humus.

Do not moisten the soil too much, as this can destroy the plants. To this end, you need to take care of drainage.

Such a plant reproduces by the seed method, as well as by dividing the mother bush. Sowing seeds is carried out in late February - early March using seedlings. In an open area, seeds are sown in the spring or in the fall.

The bush can be divided after flowering is over. This variety is not too whimsical to care for, however, if you want to achieve lush flowering, then you need to additionally make fertilizing based on minerals. This is done twice a month during the summer period.

Saxifrage hybrids.

 

A renowned German breeder at the end of the 19th century combined the hybrid saxifrage species and named Arends after his surname. These varieties tolerate low temperatures and dry weather well. Among the varieties of hybrids, you can find a wide variety of color options for buds. The most popular representatives of hybrids are Flamingo, Purpurmantel, Varigata varieties.

How to plant and care for saxifrage

 

In leaving any difficulties, as a rule, do not arise even for novice florists. At home, this plant is not capricious, it does not need to be additionally sprayed. For such a plant, a window facing either side is suitable. The only exception is the south side. Varieties intended for open areas will well complement an alpine hill, where there is a lot of crushed limestone. It is best to plant the saxifrage on the north or east side of the alpine slide. The direct rays of the sun should not hit the saxifrage. To avoid this problem, on the south side, you can plant some kind of culture that will create shade.

The saxifrage needs to be watered periodically, but waterlogging can adversely affect the plant. Top dressing should be applied twice a month in the summer and once a month in the winter. Winter feeding applies to varieties that are grown at home.

Outdoor varieties tolerate low temperatures well, so additional insulation is not required. Sometimes, if winter promises to be snowless, and the plants are still very young, you need to cover them with spruce branches or dry foliage.

Saxifrage varieties when growing at home should be kept at a temperature of +20 degrees, in winter the temperature should drop to +15. Yellow foliage, as well as flowers that have already faded, need to be removed.

If the plant does not bloom, grows slowly, and the foliage is too small, then this most likely means that the plants lack nutrition and light. If the leaves are too light in color, then this, on the contrary, means that there is too much light. The sun's rays, especially in the afternoon, can burn foliage. Burns appear as dark spots.

Planting of this culture occurs, as a rule, in the spring. The wicker saxifrage prefers a wide and shallow container. The bottom of the pot should have holes and a drainage layer. To do this, you need to lay expanded clay with a two-centimeter layer. This measure is mandatory, otherwise the water will stagnate, and this is fraught with the death of the saxifrage.On top of the drainage layer, earth is poured, the layer should be thin. You can prepare the soil mixture yourself, or you can buy a ready-made one in the garden department. The soil should consist of peat, leaf humus, coarse sand and crushed limestone. Before planting plants, it will not be superfluous to process the soil for the purpose of disinfection. For this, as a rule, boiling water is used, which is poured over the ground. Alternatively, you can heat the ground in the oven. The saxifrage together with the earthy clod must be placed in a new container and fresh soil added. At the same time, the container should be larger than the previous pot by a couple of centimeters on all sides. Young plants are transplanted once a year, those plants that are more than five years old can be transplanted once every two to three years.

Varieties that are intended for outdoor cultivation may not be transplanted for six years. For planting, it is better to choose a shaded area, there must be a good drainage system and the proper amount of nutrients in the soil. After the plant has been planted, it must be well watered and shaded from the sun's rays. This will help the root system grow better.

As for watering plants, there are also some small nuances here. The soil should not become waterlogged, moisture stagnation is not allowed. This can provoke the appearance of diseases of a bacterial and fungal nature. At the same time, the earthen lump should also not dry out, because after a long drought it will be difficult for the plant to recover. Watering should be done often enough, but with a small amount of water. The soil must always be moist. The water that is drained into the sump should be removed after watering is over. In winter, plants are watered less often, the upper part of the soil should dry out slightly. Water the plants carefully, no water droplets should fall on the leaves of the saxifrage.

The plant tolerates shade well, but if the stonebreaker is in the shade all the time, then the aboveground part of the plant will develop poorly, and the flowering is unlikely to be abundant. It is necessary to shade the planting only from the midday sun rays; in the morning and evening, there is no need to create additional shade.

As for the use of this plant for medicinal purposes, not every variety is suitable for these purposes. Most often, in the fight against various inflammatory processes, the offspring saxifrage is used, as well as the saxifrage - the thigh. As a rule, decoctions and infusions are prepared from rhizomes or herbs.

This culture is used as a medicine against inflammation and tumors. Saxifrage is a bactericidal agent that also helps to cope with fever. In its composition, the plant has various acids, an alkaloid, essential oils, as well as various vitamins and other elements useful for the body.

Greens and rhizomes help to cope with diseases associated with the genitourinary system, as well as gastritis and colitis. The plant helps well to fight influenza and ARVI. Saxifrage is indicated for people who suffer from bronchial asthma, ulcers or gout. A compress made on the basis of saxifrage will help to cope with skin inflammations (acne, boils, ulcers). The thigh saxifrage can be cultivated without any problems in your area. A tea based on this plant will help people suffering from asthma and bronchitis. For this purpose, the dried herb (one teaspoon) is poured with cold water (one glass). Next, you need to boil the mixture for a minute. It is recommended to drink this tea, adding honey, three times a day.

If you suffer from gout or gastritis, then you are shown a decoction prepared on the basis of saxifrage rhizome. To do this, add dry ground roots (ten grams) to water (half a liter). You need to boil the mixture for fifteen minutes. You need to insist at least one hour. It is best to pour this broth into a thermos.Before using it, you need to filter it. It is recommended to use half a glass of this broth four times a day.

Of course, all these funds must be used with caution, observing the correct proportions and dosages. Do not use saxifrage for medicinal purposes if you suffer from dermatitis, thrombosis. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, it is also better to consult a doctor before using decoctions and infusions.

 

As for growing, strong seedlings can be done using the seed planting method. However, flowering can please you in this case only after a year or two. Flowers can be obtained faster if you use the method of dividing the main bush or the method of cuttings.

How to propagate saxifrage

 

Saxifrage, which is more than five years old, is best propagated by cuttings. Each stem has buds, from which roots then emerge. Some growers root such shoots directly in containers with the main plant. Separate pots can also be used. They should be filled with soil with a loose structure of sand and peat. Cut off the cuttings with a disinfected, well-sharpened knife. Place the environment to be treated with charcoal.

Aged saxifrage also reproduce well by dividing young rosettes. They already have roots that are able to take root in close proximity to the main bush.

You can also choose a seed propagation method, so you will get a lot of strong seedlings. Sowing seeds is carried out both on an open area in the spring or in the fall, and with the help of seedlings.

To obtain seedlings, seeds must be sown in late February - early March. The soil must have a loose structure, and must be disinfected in advance. Saxifrage seeds are small in size, therefore it is recommended to mix them with sand before sowing.

After sowing, you need to sprinkle the seeds from a spray bottle and tamp lightly. After that, the container with crops is covered with polyethylene and put into the refrigerator for three to four weeks. After the end of the stratification process, the containers must be removed and placed in a bright place. From time to time, the film must be removed to air the seedlings.

When two or three true leaves have formed, the seedlings need to be dived into separate pots and from time to time exposed to the open air. Seedling plants are transplanted to an open area in June.

About diseases and pests of saxifrage

 

This culture has a fairly strong immunity against various diseases. However, if the soil contains too much moisture, then this can provoke the appearance of diseases such as powdery mildew, rust and fungi. To get rid of such problems, you can use a solution of copper sulfate. The part of the saxifrage that has been infected must be removed. It is then recommended to move the plant to a drier area.

Saxifrage from time to time can suffer from attacks of spider mites, aphids, whiteflies. Such drugs as Actellik, Aktara, Fitoverm will help to cope with these harmful insects. A plant that has been damaged by pests becomes sickly, lethargic, foliage turns yellow, and the presence of pests can be easily identified by looking at the plant carefully.

 

How to use saxifrage in landscape design

This culture is used very actively for landscape design. Saxifrage grows well on soils with a lot of lime. A plant does not need a lot of land for normal growth and development. For this reason, saxifrage is often used on alpine slides, paths, in Japanese gardens with a lot of stones.Saxifrage varieties, which are compact in size, will be a wonderful decoration in the design of borders. This culture looks beautiful on the stone shores of artificially created reservoirs. The saxifrage complements the stream bank especially effectively.