SAXIFRAGA
Saxifraga is the family name of a host of lovely rock plants of
many sizes, shapes and colours. Most varieties are too freegrowing for the minigarden, notable exceptions being most of the
Kabschia section. This is a group which includes the most beautiful of all the "Saxes" and numbers 36 species, a choice enlarged
by the addition of numerous hybrids.
The Kabschia species are sometimes called "Pin-cushion
Plants" because of their hummock or cushion formation (1 to 2
inches in height) from which the tiny stemmed flowers project
like pins. The hummock is made up of numerous, densely packed,
tiny tufts of rosettes of various shades of silver, green and grey
that is always neat and most attractive. They like a sunny position, slightly moist and well drained, and all those recommended
below are fond of lime. They flower in spring and early summer,
the colours of types being as indicated. Most are reasonably
hardy.
saxifraga arco-valleyi (P); S. burseriana (W); S. b. crenata
(P); S. b. sulphurea (T); S. Christine (R); S. Cranbourne (P);
S. Faldonside (T); S. Irv ngii (L); S. Myra {R); S. Rivers-
lea (R); S. Salmonii (W).
Useful saxifraga of other than the Kabschia section include:
S. Ada (P), edge-trailing; S. Mrs. Pritchard (P); S. Simplicity
(W); S. aizoon minutifolia (W), encrusted, carpeting type; S.
cochlearis minor (W); S. primulaize (0); S. Boston Spa (T).
SEDUMS (STONECROP)
There are more than 500 different species of Sedum and they
have sufficient variety in form and colour to be capable of stock-
ing a colourful little garden completely. Note Plates I and II.
Although Sedums are one of the Succulents, they merit special
notice because of their range and versatility which bridges the
gap between indoor and outdoor plants. Most species are hardy
and flourish in a fairly dry soil of ordinary loam. Sizes vary from
minute, slow-growing types which form into a dense mat to
specimens several feet in height.
All types are attractive. Flowers,
which usually grow in clusters, appear through the summer and
may be yellow, white, blue, pink or other colours. The fleshy
"foliage" growth is unusually attractive and changes through the
year, silver to pink, soft yellows to bronze reds, greens to crimson
and blue-greys to pink, etc. The following species grow to a
height of about an inch.
sedum acre minor (T); S. anglicum (PW); S. dasyphyllum
(PW); S. farinosum (W); S. hispanicum (Wor Y);S. humifusum; S. lydium (W); S. Nevi (W); S. spathulfolium (var.
Cappa Blanca) (Y).
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