Content
Saxifraga paniculata, or hardy (Saxifraga aizoon), belongs to the extensive family of Saxifragaceae herbaceous perennials. The plant is found everywhere in the highlands, among rocks and stones, there are more than 400 different species. The name comes from two Latin words: "rock" (saxum) and "break" (fragere). The culture is popularly referred to as the "tear-grass".
In its natural habitat, wide clumps of the tenacious saxifrage color the lifeless stone passages with bright flowering
Botanical description of the species
Specific signs of herbaceous perennial paniculate tenacious saxifrage:
- the root system is developed, strong, branching;
- the height of the stem before flowering 7-10 cm;
- stem height during flowering 20-25 cm;
- root rosette of leaves dense, hemispherical;
- leaves are smooth, leathery, pubescent;
- the shape of the leaves is round or oblong, with a heart-shaped base, with denticles along the edge;
- the color of the leaves is bluish, dark green, green-blue, with white marginal teeth;
- inflorescences are panicle-shaped, 5-6 cm in diameter;
- flowers are small, five-petal, star-shaped, with 8-10 stamens;
- the color of the flowers is yellow, pink, white, white-yellow, cream, reddish, with small purple specks;
- the fruit is a multi-seeded bag;
- flowering time - June-July.
The leaf plates of the paniculate tenacious saxifrage emit a gray calcareous coating, which is clearly visible on the upper surface
Where and how it grows
The panicle saxifrage has an amazing feature - to break through to the light on lifeless areas of the earth's surface with a predominance of natural stone. Developed rhizomes easily take root on mountain slopes, penetrate rocky cracks, grow widely in narrow gorges, on limestone slopes, granite ledges, rocky soil. Rip-grass is not afraid of drought and wind. It destroys even stone barriers, forms dense and dense clumps. The root system and leaf rosettes of the paniculate saxifrage grow in different directions and form original dense, hemispherical sod.
The plant blooms in May-June. Loose panicle-shaped umbrellas are formed until July-August, after which the rosette with a flower shoot dies off. The decorative appearance is appreciated not only by the flourishing culture. Very beautiful miniature leaves, collected in original basal rosettes, reminiscent of exotic multi-layered flowers. New leafy "stars" are formed from the mother's - on long stolons.
As a result of anthropogenic human activity, some varieties and species of saxifrage are included in the Red Book of Russia and are protected by the state.
Unpretentious plant, paniculate tenacious saxifrage, found in the mountainous regions of North America, Europe, Asia, the African continent
The best varieties
Different varieties of saxifraga paniculata differ in color: from classic yellow to white and various shades of pink. Hybrid and collectible plants attract the attention of landscape designers everywhere. The culture is often used for decorating the local area, it is valued for its unpretentiousness and easy maintenance.
For the growth and full development of the tenacious saxifrage, almost no human intervention is needed
Rosea
The tenacious saxifrage variety Rosea (Rosea) is an ornamental perennial, which is distinguished by the following features:
- peduncles are straight, red;
- peduncle height up to 24 cm;
- the diameter of the rosettes is 2 cm;
- the color of the buds is pink-red;
- color of flowers from pink (at the beginning of budding) to light pink (in the process of wilting);
- the shape of the petals is oval;
- the color of the nectaries is green;
- flower diameter up to 8 mm;
- leaves are rounded, with a sharp top;
- the color of the leaves is dark green with a ruby edging along the edge;
- leaf size - 1.2 cm x 0.5 cm.
Flowering saxifrage paniculata Rosea (Rosea) is not accompanied by aroma
Atropurpurea
An exclusive groundcover, saxifrage paniculata variety Atropurpurea, is characterized by the following features:
- the color of the leaves is deep green;
- peduncle height up to 50 cm;
- inflorescences in the form of loose panicles;
- the color of the flowers is dark red.
The yellow nectaries contrast brightly with the ruby red glow of the petals, making the flowering Atropurpurea saxifrage look very impressive.
Macocha
The popular variety of saxifrage paniculata Macocha is distinguished by the following features:
- the diameter of the leaf outlet is up to 15 cm;
- peduncle height up to 50 cm;
- flower color - white with yellow nectaries.
The flowering of paniculate saxifrage Macocha occurs between May and July.
Balcana minima
The tenacious Balkan minimalistic saxifrage (Balcana minima) is recognized as a rare collectible variety. The size of the leaf rosettes fully justifies the name - no more than 2 cm in diameter. The decorative variety is distinguished by the following features:
- peduncle height - up to 30 cm;
- leaf plates are narrow, pointed, with marginal teeth;
- leaf color - bluish green;
- inflorescences - paniculate;
- flowers are small.
Balkan minimalistic saxifrage paniculata (Balcana minima) prefers well-drained calcareous soil
Ria
Refined saxifrage paniculata varieties Ria are capable of creating dense decorative thickets. The plant is characterized by features:
- paniculate inflorescences;
- inflorescence height up to 30 cm;
- the color of the flowers is white;
- leaves are narrow, serrated, pointed;
- the color of the leaves is gray-green, blue-green.
The hardy saxifrage of the Ria variety begins to produce modest flower stalks in June
Pygmy
The ever-living saxifrage of the Pygmaea variety is recognized as one of the most spectacular representatives of the species. The plant grows in many low rosettes, prefers sunny areas on rocky poor soil.
Pygmy saxifrage (Pygmaea) retains its decorative appearance throughout the year, as it painlessly tolerates frost
Minor
The tenacious saxifrage variety Minor forms a dense growth of rosettes, differs in the following characteristics:
- leaves are narrow, serrated, sharp;
- the color of the leaves is gray-green, blue-green with jagged calcareous protrusions;
- panicle inflorescences;
- the color of the inflorescences is pale yellow, uniform, or with purple blotches on a white-yellow background;
- the size of flowers is up to 7 mm.
The ever-living paniculate saxifrage Minor begins to produce flower stalks in June
Planting and leaving
All representatives of the Kamnelomkov family do not differ in the complexity of planting and care. Hardy and frost-hardy rift-grass grows best in places similar to their natural habitat. Decorative varieties are propagated in several ways:
- seed;
- vegetative (division of the mother bush, cuttings).
Most often, the separation of the rosettes of the paniculate saxifrage is used together with a part of the rhizome
Recommended timing
The best time to transplant a tenacious saxifrage is the middle of the summer season. Young rosettes can be detached and replanted in early spring. Plots must contain viable root suckers.Mother plants are separated at least once every 4-5 years, since the rosettes begin to thin out, lose their decorative appeal. The culture is not transplanted during flowering.
For seedlings, the seeds of a paniculate tenacious saxifrage are planted in March-April in planting boxes with treated soil mixture.
Numerous, smallest seeds of saxifrage ever-living paniculata fall into the soil by self-sowing, stratify in winter, sprout in spring
Site selection and preparation
Most landscape designers and gardeners prefer to decorate original rockeries, rock gardens, retaining walls with original ground covers. The most suitable place is the northern or eastern slope, slightly shaded areas of the garden. The following requirements are imposed on the soil:
- slightly acidic, neutral, loose, light, granular soil;
- sufficient level of drainage layer;
- the presence of lime chips, coarse sand, vermiculite, clay;
- high content of humus, humus, black peat, calcium.
The ever-living saxifrage looks original and aesthetically pleasing in picturesque crevices, between stones of various sizes
Landing algorithm
The planting holes are shallow enough to accommodate the plots. Parts of root rosettes with small roots are placed in the ground, pressed down and thoroughly moistened.
During seed propagation, the planting material is embedded in seedlings without deepening. The smallest seeds are mixed with fine sand, spread over the surface of the soil and sprinkled with sifted earth a little. Saplings appear in 2-3 weeks. For the growth and development of seedlings, a sufficient level of humidity must be maintained. Seedlings are distinguished by a long period of development. Cotyledonous leaves are formed only one month after germination.
The distance between plants should be at least 10 cm, since the saxifrage grows quickly and takes up free space
Watering and feeding schedule
The plant needs gentle, neat, but frequent watering. In addition to moistening, the soil should be periodically loosened around the root rosettes.
Fertilize saxifrage with superphosphate, as well as organic compounds with a large amount of bone meal.
Areas with planted saxifrage ever-living paniculata will look neat and well-groomed if faded inflorescences are removed in a timely manner
Preparing for winter
A characteristic feature of paniculate saxifrage is frost resistance. It is not for nothing that culture is called everlasting. The plant does not require mandatory winter preparation.
In snowless winters, you can cover ever-living rosettes with sawdust or dry branches.
Diseases and pests
Stress-resistant saxifrage, everliving paniculata, is distinguished by persistent immunity. In rare cases, the plant can be attacked by ants. When large colonies of insects appear, the saxifrage rosettes can be treated with modern insecticides. The most effective are universal aphid remedies.
Plants should not be treated with aerosol preparations, since the settling composition spoils the decorative appearance of the leaf rosettes.
Sometimes the leaves may show rust or wet rot in the central part of the plants. The cause of the appearance of the fungus is insufficient drainage and lack of ventilation of the outlets.
Spores of rust pathogens infect leaf blades and appear as red-violet spots. Gradually, the foci grow, the leaves are deformed, dry out, since the process of photosynthesis is disrupted. The plant loses nutrients and dies.
For the early fight against rust on the bushes of the ever-living paniculate saxifrage, modern biological and chemical preparations are used (Bordeaux mixture, Abigapik, Topaz, Hom)
Wet bacterial rot attacks healthy rosettes. The pulp of the leaves softens, covered with a layer of mucus. The infection spreads quickly to other plants. The affected bushes should be removed and burned, the ground should be disinfected.
For the prevention of wet bacterial rot, autumn soil treatment with bleach, formalin, chloropicrin is used
Conclusion
Saxifrage paniculata is a beautiful perennial ground cover, which is distinguished by unpretentiousness, frost resistance, rapid growth and excellent decorative qualities. The exotic shape of the flower-shaped leaf rosettes maintains elegance all year round. The plant is characterized by a number of medicinal properties. In folk medicine, roots and leaves are used. Natural raw materials are used for the preparation of drugs for diseases of the genitourinary, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract.
