As a robust plant family that also occurs in extreme locations in the high mountains, the different species of Saxifraga can put up with quite a lot. However, the saxifrage's willingness to grow and bloom can be significantly increased with a well thought-out choice of location and suitable care measures.

Saxifrage requires little maintenance

How often should Saxifraga representatives be watered?

In principle, most Saxifraga species should be additionally watered, at least during extended periods of heat and drought, since they are usually planted on a well-drained substrate. However, the exact requirements between the more than 450 Saxifraga species differ greatly. As a rule of thumb, fine-leaved species of saxifrage require a more regular (sometimes daily) watering than saxifrage species with succulent, thick-fleshed leaves. If possible, watering should not be carried out in the midday heat, but in the morning and evening hours.

When is the saxifrage transplanted?

Spring is the best time to plant saxifrage. Oftentimes, specimens planted in April or May can produce amazing cushions of large numbers of flowers as early as summer. Mix some rotted compost under the potting soil of the Saxifraga species, which are native to the semi-shade and prefer a little moisture, to save time and effort when watering.

When and how can the saxifrage be cut?

The saxifrage does not necessarily need pruning in terms of size limitation. Of course, you can also shorten parts of the plant on the side at any time if the cushions grow beyond the intended location. Dead plant parts are removed for visual reasons, this works particularly time-saving with electric lawn shears with the countless flower stalks of the saxifrage.

What diseases and pests attack the saxifrage?

Occasionally, saxifrage plants are attacked by beetles known as vine weevils. These can be lured into small pots full of wood shavings and collected regularly. It is also possible to combat it with nematodes, which attack the beetle larvae and cause them to die within a few days.

Should the saxifrage be fertilized?

Only a few species of the saxifrage family benefit from sparing use of fertiliser, many, on the other hand, thrive particularly well and bloom in barren soil with gravel. Since species from mountainous areas in particular prefer calcareous locations, occasional lime should be added to the following types of saxifrage, for example:

  • Saxifraga jenkinsae
  • Saxifraga apiculata
  • Saxifraga pungens

How is the saxifrage overwintered?

With balanced moisture conditions, most species of saxifrage survive the winter outdoors without any special protective measures. Overwintering problems can only occur in locations with strong temperature fluctuations and in the event of a frost.

tips

When buying saxifrage, pay close attention to the respective subspecies and their requirements, as there can sometimes be extreme differences in terms of location and moisture requirements.

Category:

Herbs