Purple saxifrage Saxifraga oppositifolia
Purple saxifrage (Saxifraga oppositifolia) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Saxifragaceae family, native to Circumpolar Arctic and high mountains (to 83° N, the most northerly flowering plant). It grows 2–5 cm (1–2 in) tall and 20–40 cm (8–16 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -50 °C (-58 °F). Space plants about 20 cm (8 in) apart.
Plan Purple saxifrage in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Purple saxifrage at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Saxifragaceae |
| Mature height | 2–5 cm (1–2 in) |
| Mature spread | 20–40 cm (8–16 in) |
| Spacing | 20 cm (8 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -50 °C (-58 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 1) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 22 °C (72 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: flowers (Inuit snack) |
| Native to | Circumpolar Arctic and high mountains (to 83° N, the most northerly flowering plant) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is Purple 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 Purple saxifrage
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See Purple saxifrage in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (28 plants)
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (20 plants)
Questions about Purple saxifrage
- How far apart should I plant Purple saxifrage?
- About 20 cm (8 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–40 cm (8–16 in).
- Does Purple saxifrage need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Purple saxifrage need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Purple saxifrage?
- It tolerates about -50 °C (-58 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 1.
- When does Purple saxifrage flower?
- From about May for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Purple 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 Purple saxifrage?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Purple saxifrage. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Norwegian species and red-list information, Artsdatabanken
- Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden, Tromsø, The Arctic University Museum of Norway (UiT)
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- Arctic-alpine: needs cold winters with snow cover, cool summers and sharp drainage; struggles in warm, humid lowlands.
- Mats of tiny leaves covered by magenta stars as the snow melts; flowers first of all arctic plants. Territorial flower of Nunavut.
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
- Encrusted saxifrage Saxifraga paniculata
- Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia
- Strawberry begonia (yukinoshita) Saxifraga stolonifera
- Chestnut-leaved rodgersia Rodgersia aesculifolia
- Creeping thyme Thymus serpyllum