SAXIFRAGA MUTATA

Description

This species is an odd-one-out among the 'encrusted saxifrages', the rosettes being deep green without the white encrusted margins which are usually typical of this group, and the flower stems produce really unusual yellow to orange flowers with long thin petals, rather than white ones. The plants usually grow tiny rosettes before the large rosette dies, and they do best in partial shade, growing readily in cultivation and coming true from seed. They are native to limestone regions of the Alps and Carpathian Mountains, Italy, Switzerland and Romania.

Sowing Advice

Seeds can be sown at any time but are best sown in winter or early spring to benefit from a cold spell in the wet compost to break their dormancy. We advise covering seeds very thinly with sand or fine grit to about the depth of the seed size. If the seeds do not come up within 6 to 12 weeks the damp seed tray can be given cold treatment in a fridge for about four weeks. They may still take very many months to appear, so please never discard the pot or tray.

Key Facts