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Alpine Rockery

Saxifraga 'Cumulus' (7)

saxifrage 'Cumulus'

'Cumulus' is a dwarf perennial forming a cushion of small rosettes of tiny narrow leaves, with large white flowers held above the foliage, in spring

© RHS
© RHS
© RHS
© RHS
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Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cm
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0–0.1 metre
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring White Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Saxifragaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Matforming
Genus

Saxifraga can be annuals, biennials, evergreen or herbaceous perennials, mostly mat-forming in habit, with simple or palmately lobed leaves and starry or rounded flowers which may be solitary of in panicles or cymes

Name status

Accepted

Horticultural Group
Porphyrion section saxifrages are compact, cushion or mat-forming evergreen perennials with small, usually lime-encrusted leaves, and 5-petalled white, yellow or pink flowers in early summer

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How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a moderately fertile, very well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in light shade. A rock garden or crevice garden is ideal so as to keep the roots cool. Troughs, sinks or an alpine house are also ideal places in which to grow 'Cumulus'. Use shallow pans of two parts peat-free John Innes No 1 compost and one part limestone chippings

Propagation

Propagate by seed in autumn in containers in an open frame (don't expect cultivars to come true from seed). Individual rosettes can be detached in spring as root cuttings in late spring or early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Gravel garden
  • Rock garden
  • Patio and container plants
Pruning

No pruning required. Deadhead where required

Pests

Aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and vine weevil may be problematic

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.