Saxifraga Tumbling Waters

Surely one of those 'classic' alpines that everyone should know - a plant in full flower is quite a sight. The flower stems are exceedingly long (up to 60cm or 24") and gracefully arched, the flowers pure white with yellow centres.

Demands and deserves a special place in the garden where the flowers will been seen to best effect.

If you read books on alpine plants they will sometimes say that this plant is difficult and dies after flowering - it isn't and it doesn't! True, the rosette from where the flower develops will die but that is true all Saxifrages and younger rosettes will continue growing for subsequent years.

As for growing, surely this is a plant that deserves the best you can give it, but it only really needs a gritty, free-draining soil and enjoys a little limestone. All our encrusted Sax's do well in full sun but in hotter counties in the south a little dappled shade may be helpful.