Content
Shadow saxifrage (Saxifraga umbrosa) is an evergreen ground cover with high frost resistance. The plant is ideal for filling open spaces in areas where other horticultural crops would not normally survive. Undemanding to the care and composition of the soil allows growing saxifrage shade even for gardeners who do not have much experience. But in order for the plant to create a lush "living carpet" on the soil surface, you need to adhere to certain rules.
Shadow saxifrage gets along well with different trees and shrubs
Description of shady saxifrage
This culture belongs to the Kamnelomkovy family. The height of the plant barely reaches 8-10 cm. It forms numerous rosettes, which are connected to each other with the help of underground shoots and so fill the entire allotted space.
The leaves of the saxifrage are shady oval, small, dense. Plates are dark green in color, up to 5 cm in length. They are concentrated at the base of the plant and form a basal rosette. The edges of the leaves are uneven, and purple streaks are present on the back.
During the flowering period, the plant forms thin paniculate peduncles up to 15 cm high. They rise above the foliage and can be white, pink in color with a contrasting purple center. The flowers of the shadow saxifrage (photo below) are simple, consist of 5 petals, up to 1 cm in diameter. In the center, with full opening of the buds, you can see 8-10 stamens.
The fruits of the shadow saxifrage are in the form of small oblong bolls, in which numerous small black seeds ripen.
During the flowering period, the planting of plants looks like an exquisite openwork "carpet"
Distribution area
Shade saxifrage can be found in nature in Western Europe. She prefers to settle in shady places on the mountain slopes.
The plant is characterized by high endurance and can grow in any crevices, which is why it got its name. In rare cases, shade saxifrage can be found in the steppe, on forest edges, and on roadsides.
The best varieties
Thanks to the selection carried out, new types of culture were obtained on the basis of the wild form of the plant. Modern varieties are highly decorative, which makes it possible to expand the area of their application in landscape design.
Variegata
The variety is distinguished by wide spatulate leaves of a green hue with yellow stripes. The height of the plant does not exceed 7 cm, but during the flowering period it reaches 20-30 cm. The flowers of this variety are white with a convex pink center, the color of which is in tune with the peduncles.
The diameter of the leaf rosettes of the Variegat shade saxifrage is 8 cm
Aureovariety
This variety is in many ways similar to the previous one, only on the leaves it does not have yellow stripes, but spots. Flowering begins in the second decade of June and lasts 4 weeks. Shadow saxifrage Aureovariegata forms simple white flowers with a purple center.
The height of the plant and the diameter of the rosettes of this variety reaches 8 cm
Aureopunctata
This variety is distinguished by dark green leaves, on which light spots or dots are randomly located. Aureopunctata shade saxifrage forms small buds that turn light pink when fully expanded. The height of the plant is 7 cm, and the peduncles are 25 cm.
The flowering period of the Aureopunktata variety begins in the first decade of June.
Elliotis Variet
This type of saxifrage is characterized by small, dense leaves of a dark green color. There are small light spots on the surface of the plates. The diameter of the rosettes in the saxifrage Elliotis Variety does not exceed 6 cm.The height of the plant reaches 5 cm.
This variety has a white shade of flowers with a slight pink tint.
Primulodis
The variety is characterized by small, smooth foliage of a light green hue. The height of the saxifrage of the shadow Primuloides does not exceed 7 cm, and the diameter of the basal rosettes is 6 cm. The flowers are single white, located alternately on the peduncles.
Shade saxifrage Primulodis goes well with any garden crops
Application in landscape design
This groundcover is able to grow in any shady spot in the garden where other crops do not survive.
Landscape designers recommend using shadow saxifrage:
- for decorating rocky gardens;
- for landscaping artificial reservoirs;
- for framing tracks;
- to fill the space under trees, shrubs;
- to create alpine slides, mixborders, rockeries.
The ground cover can be combined with other low-growing garden crops that can successfully complement each other. As neighbors, you can use marsh irises, muscari, decorated gentian.
Reproduction methods
To obtain new seedlings, saxifrage shade use the method of dividing the bush. The procedure can be carried out after flowering, but no later than the end of August. Delaying the timing can cause the plants to not have time to take root before frost and die in winter. The seed propagation method is not used for this type of culture.
The day before dividing, it is necessary to water the soil cover moderately. This will allow the procedure to be carried out with minimal stress on the plant. The next day, you need to carefully dig out the rosettes of the shadow saxifrage using a knife to separate them from each other.
After that, the seedlings should be immediately planted in a permanent place and watered with a solution of any root former. In order for the plants to adapt faster, they must be covered with a transparent cap in the first week.
Planting and caring for shade saxifrage
For this ground cover, it is necessary to choose the right place in the garden and plant it. Otherwise, it will not be possible to grow a "living carpet" on the site. Therefore, before you start this plant in the garden, you should study the basic requirements of the culture.
Recommended timing
It is necessary to plant a shade saxifrage in a permanent place when the soil warms up enough and warm weather is established with a temperature of at least 15-17 degrees, regardless of the time of day. The optimal time for planting is late May and early June.
Site selection and preparation
For shady saxifrage, you should choose shaded elevated areas where melt water will not stagnate in winter, otherwise the plant will die. Therefore, it can be planted at the base of trees or shrubs, as well as on the shady side of paths, arbors, in secluded corners of the garden.
The soil cover is undemanding to the composition of the soil, but it does not tolerate long-term stagnation of moisture, so it needs to provide good drainage. To do this, lime, sand, fine gravel should be added to the soil in advance, 3 kg per square meter. m. All this should be thoroughly mixed with the ground.Also, a day before planting, you need to water the soil.
Landing algorithm
It is recommended to plant shady saxifrage seedlings in cloudy weather or in the evening. This will allow the plants to quickly adapt to the new location.
Algorithm of actions:
- Prepare holes 10 cm apart.
- Make a small elevation in the center in each of them.
- Place a seedling on it, gently spread the roots.
- Sprinkle them with earth and fill in all the voids.
- Compact the surface and water lightly along the edge of the planting hole.
Watering and feeding schedule
At the initial stage, it is necessary to constantly monitor the moisture content of the soil and, in the absence of rain, irrigate. To do this, use settled water with a temperature of +20 degrees. Moistening should be done every time the soil dries up to a depth of 2-3 cm.
During a dry period, it is recommended to mulch the plantings of shade saxifrage with a layer of peat 1-2 cm thick. This will reduce the evaporation of moisture from the soil and prevent the root system from drying out.
To feed this ground cover, you can use only mineral fertilizers. The first time they should be applied in the spring during the growth of new leaves. At this time, you can use nitroammofosk. Further feeding should be done before and after flowering. During these periods, apply phosphorus-potassium mixtures.
Pruning
To preserve the decorativeness of the plant throughout the season, it is necessary to remove wilted peduncles in a timely manner. Also, in the spring, you can cut off damaged leaf sockets, and plant new ones in their place.
Preparing for winter
Shadow saxifrage has high frost resistance. The plant does not suffer from a drop in temperature to -30 degrees. But to preserve the appearance of the outlets, it is necessary, with the arrival of the first stable frosts, to sprinkle the plantings of the ground cover with a layer of fallen leaves.
Pests and diseases
If the growing conditions do not match, the plant's immunity decreases. Therefore, the shadow saxifrage can suffer from fungal diseases and pests. To avoid this, it is necessary to periodically inspect the plantings and carry out processing at the first signs of damage.
Possible problems:
- Spider mite. The pest becomes active at low humidity and high temperatures. A lesion can be recognized by the depressed appearance of the plant and the thin apical cobweb. It is recommended to use Actellik for the fight.
- Aphid. A sucking plant parasite that feeds on the sap of the leaves of the saxifrage shade. It is not difficult to find it, since it forms whole colonies on the back of the leaves. With a massive spread, the plant may die. For destruction, you should use "Confidor Extra".
- Root rot. The disease develops with prolonged stagnation of moisture in the soil. This leads to wilting of the aerial part, as the root ceases to function. Sick saxifrage shadows cannot be treated, so they need to be dug up. And in order to prevent further spread, the soil should be watered with "Previkur Energy"
- Powdery mildew. The disease begins to progress with increased humidity and temperature. It can be recognized by the white bloom on the leaves, which later becomes brown. As a result, the affected areas dry out. For treatment, it is recommended to use the drug "Topaz", "Skor".
Conclusion
Shadow saxifrage is an undemanding ground cover crop that will help mask unsightly places on the site. At the same time, the plant does not need special care. Therefore, its popularity is growing every year, because few garden crops combine similar qualities.
