Encrusted saxifrage Saxifraga paniculata
Encrusted saxifrage (Saxifraga paniculata) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Saxifragaceae family, native to Mountains of Europe, the Caucasus and arctic North America (limestone crevices). It grows 5–25 cm (2–10 in) tall and 20–30 cm (8–12 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 20 cm (8 in) apart.
Plan Encrusted saxifrage in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Encrusted saxifrage at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Saxifragaceae |
| Mature height | 5–25 cm (2–10 in) |
| Mature spread | 20–30 cm (8–12 in) |
| Spacing | 20 cm (8 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -35 °C (-31 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Mountains of Europe, the Caucasus and arctic North America (limestone crevices) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France, 🇳🇴 Norway |
Is Encrusted saxifrage toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Encrusted saxifrage
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Encrusted saxifrage in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (8 plants)
- Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (20 plants)
- Denver Botanic Gardens (16 plants)
- New York Botanical Garden (16 plants)
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (16 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (14 plants)
Questions about Encrusted saxifrage
- How far apart should I plant Encrusted saxifrage?
- About 20 cm (8 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–30 cm (8–12 in).
- Does Encrusted saxifrage need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Encrusted saxifrage need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Encrusted saxifrage?
- It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Encrusted saxifrage flower?
- From about June for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Encrusted saxifrage poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Encrusted saxifrage?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Encrusted saxifrage. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Alpine: needs sharp drainage (scree, gravel or a rock-garden pocket) and resents winter wet more than cold.
- Silver-edged rosettes encrusted with lime secreted from leaf-edge pores; sprays of white flowers on 20 cm stems.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Astilbe Astilbe x arendsii
- Coral bells (heuchera) Heuchera americana
- Elephant's ears (bergenia) Bergenia cordifolia
- Purple saxifrage Saxifraga oppositifolia
- Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia
- Strawberry begonia (yukinoshita) Saxifraga stolonifera
- Chestnut-leaved rodgersia Rodgersia aesculifolia
- Creeping thyme Thymus serpyllum