I took this photo the other day but since then the centre of the plant is starting to elongate which hopefully means a flower. Does anyone know what it will look like? After flowering will I lose the plant - it only has one rosette?
Saxifraga longifolia
S. longifolia is monocarpic...it is absolutely spectacular when in bloom...a giant among the saxs, but try to save some seed. How old is the plant? They often take 4-5 years to reach maturity.
By the way, if you get to a saxifrage nursery, look for 'Tumbling Waters'..it is a longifolia hybrid that looks similar to longifolia but is not monocarpic. Here is my 2 year old plant.
I hope you can get to save some seed Ann as it's a lovely plant. Todd yours is stunning!
I love the geometry of those sax's. Just gorgeous.
Tam
Thanks very much for the info. I only bought the plant last year. I will look out for Tumbling Waters. Here's how my plant looks today.
Another view
The only other saxifraga of this type I have is crustata.
My S. crustata looks a little different from yours but variation does exist.
Sax. cotyledon is also a giant rosette type..this one has 5" rosettes.
and 'Monarch' is a cotyledon hybrid with quite large rosettes as well.
Here is my S. longifolia...a 2 year old baby..the rosette is only 4 cm across yet.
Wow, these plants and photos are fantastic!
These are all wonderful Todd. Thanks for posting. I shall be looking out for more of these on my nursery trip!
My longifolia today
Do all these need full sun? They are so fabulous.
I grow them in the shade. Otherwise, they'd croak on the first day of true California sun. They have to be in a super-lean medium in the shade, though. I use cactus potting soil mixed with grit and aquarium sand, and I pick out any leaves as soon as they fall in the trough from the overhanging trees, because they could add too much rich stuff to the planting medium.
Sounds like it is NOT FOR ME...I have mostly shade but not lean well drained soil. Tell me about saxafraga purple robe....I just got this and have NEVER had one. It doesn't look anything like yours but ...........what do you think? Todd?
Yes yours is a different type of saxifraga - I'm just learning about them too. Todd's your man!
Purple Robe is a mossy saxifrage....part shade is ideal. They are generally easy. In Maryland you should be able to get away with the encrusted saxs but probably not the kabschia types. Encrusted need very well drained soil...Purple Robe will be happy in a more organic woodland mix.
Thanks Todd....I THINK I understand. :~)