THE CULTIVATION OF SAXIFRAGES. 



37 



THE CULTIVATION OF SAXIFRAGES. 



By Mr. George Paul, F.R.H.S., Cheshunt. 



[Read March 12, 1889.] 



At the request of the Secretary, I venture to add a few words to 

 the interesting paper just read by Mr. Baker. In practical 

 gardening Saxifrages are a very useful and decorative family. 

 As the majority are mountain plants, they serve particularly 

 well in the decoration of rock gardens, and in such positions 

 they are amongst the earliest flowers to brighten the approach 

 of spring. Such species as S. Burseriana and S. luteo-purpurea 

 (the latter better known under its synonym of Friderici-Augusti) 

 open with the slightest sun aid early in February. S. sancta 

 follows these promptly. We have then the various forms of 

 S. oppositifolia, comprising the most widely-spread of all English 

 mountain Saxifrages. As a rule Saxifrages are easily grown, and 

 it is only necessary to observe one or two leading principles in 

 their culture. 



There are a few sorts that require moist conditions, and 

 which, colloquially, may be called bog Saxifrages. These may 

 be at once enumerated. We have S. peltata revelling on the 

 edges of ponds, where its roots may reach the water. We have 

 also S. Hirculus, which is a yellow-flowered bog species of dwarf 

 habit. And, lastly, we have S. granulata and its double form, 

 found both in the Lea and Thames marshes, and S. diversifolia. 



All other species, in a general sense, may be described as 

 requiring to be grown on thrown-up soil, that is, on ground higher 

 than the ordinary level, to escape all chances of stagnant mois- 

 ture. Under such conditions they grow freely, are hardy — resist- 

 ing any amount of cold — provided only they are not water-logged. 

 During the season of growth they like plenty of water, but after 

 that it is necessary the conditions should become drier, in order 

 to prepare for the next flowering season. 



One of the most interesting sections of this family is that 

 known as the Encrusted Saxifrages. In this the leaves are of a 

 tufted habit, jewelled, so to speak, with silvery dots (of carbonate 

 of lime), so that even when not in flower they are beautiful 



