Saxifrage pink
Petrorhagia saxifraga · Caryophyllaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant saxifrage pink: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, fine and linear
- Flowering
- May to August, pale pink to white flowers
- Adult size
- 15 to 30 cm tall, mat-forming habit
- Growth
- Slow to moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, -15°C and below
- Origin
- Rocky regions of the Mediterranean basin and Southern Europe
- Soil type
- Well-drained, poor to average, tolerates calcareous substrates
Care
Exposure
Place the rock pink in full sun for optimal flowering. It tolerates slight shade but will produce fewer flowers. A well-ventilated location limits the risk of excessive moisture.
Soil and drainage
Choose a well-drained substrate, poor to average. Enrich with sand or gravel to improve drainage if your soil is heavy. This plant dislikes standing water and thrives in dry to moderately fresh soil.
Watering
Water moderately, especially during the first year of establishment. Once well-rooted, the plant tolerates drought and only needs watering during long dry spells. In pots, check that the substrate dries between waterings.
Fertilizer
No fertilizer is necessary in poor soil, where the rock pink prefers to grow. Excess nitrogen promotes foliage at the expense of flowers. In spring, a light application of balanced fertilizer is sufficient for container-grown plants.
Pruning and cutting
Remove spent flowers regularly to extend blooming. After the season, light tidying with scissors removes dead parts and maintains the compact form of the clump.
Health and problems
Very hardy and rarely affected by disease. In case of excessive moisture, root rot or powdery mildew may appear: improve drainage and air circulation. Aphids are rare but possible: treat with soapy water if necessary.
Did you know?
The rock pink owes its scientific name 'saxifraga' (meaning 'stone-breaker') to its remarkable ability to colonize rock crevices and fissures. Over the years, its roots and the decomposition of its organic matter gradually fragment the parent rock, slowly contributing to the creation of new fertile soil in mountain environments.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.