Skalnica Arendsa(Saxifraga arendsii) is one of the most popular plants decorating rock gardens. Modest requirements, small, decorative rosettes of evergreen leaves and charming flowers made the cultivation of Arendssaxifrage very popular. We explain how to performsaxifrage plantingand which varieties to choose for your garden. In this article you will also learn how to performreproduction of Arends saxifrage
Skalnica Arendsa - Saxifraga arendsii
Photo. depositphotos.com
Arends Skalnica - description and application
Skalnica Arendsa belongs to the family of saxifrages(Saxifragaceae). It occurs naturally in the mountainous regions of Europe, Asia and both Americas. This small perennial grows to a maximum of 15-20 cm during flowering. It grows very quickly thanks to runners. Rosettes of fleshy leaves form dense cushions, from which in May small flowers grow on long shoots, forming loose white, pink or red inflorescences. As they fade, flowers most often turn lighter.
Skalnica planted on flowerbeds and rockeriesquickly fills free spaces creating colorful flower carpets. It is an excellent plant for perennial borders, it can be planted in balcony boxes and pots, as well as between paving slabs and on walls. It looks decorative against the background of such plants as: swarms, heart-shaped bergenia, cranberry, monkshood or sedge.Due to the preferred semi-shaded position,Arends saxifrage can be planted under trees or shrubs , under which it works well as a ground cover plant.
Arendsa Skalnica - varieties
There are many beautiful varieties of Arends saxifrage, differing in color of flowers and rosettes. Here are the most interesting of them:
Arendsa's Skalnica 'Schneeteppich'- is a cushion-shaped variety distinguished by a compact habit. Its wedge-shaped, lush green leaves form small rosettes up to 3 cm in diameter. In May and June we can observe white flowers up to 1.5 cm in diameter. Can be cut.
Arends' Skalnica 'Schneeteppich'
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Skalnica Arendsa 'Purple Carpet'- this is one of the nicer carpet varieties distinguished by silver-green leaves and pink flowers. Reaches 10 cm in height. Suitable for growing in pots and containers.Similarly beautiful carpets, but in white and green color, are created bysaxifrage 'Carpet White'
Arends' Skalnica 'Blutenteppich'- creates compact, evergreen, stiff pillows composed of dark green rosettes 3-4 cm in diameter. The carmine-pink flowers appear in May and June and are suitable for pruning.
Skalnica Arendsa 'Peter Pan'- in May and June we can observe large (up to 1.5 cm), carmine red flowers placed on short shoots, located just above the leaves. Charming dark green rosettes emphasize the beauty of the flowers.
Skalnica Arendsa 'Pixi Pan Red'- this is an attractive variety distinguished by tiny flowers of intense red color (which do not change color) appearing among equally fine leaves. It reaches a height of about 10 cm.
Skalnica Arendsa 'Alpino Early Pink Heart'- flowering of this variety begins earlier than in others - usually from the beginning of May and lasts until June.Dark pink flowers change color to fade to light pink with time. The uneven development of flowers means that at the same time there are flowers in many shades of pink. The flowers are mounted on extremely short stems, just above the leaves. During flowering, the plant reaches a height of about 20 cm.
Arends' Skalnica 'Harder Zwerg'- forms a compact clump consisting of rosettes 4-5 cm in diameter. It blooms from May to June. The flowers are intensely red and set on short shoots directly above the rosette. Thesaxifrage 'Highlander Red' is very similarwith slightly smaller rosettes.
Skalnica 'Arendsa Rockies Red'- produces small, light green leaves and decorative flowers with an intense red color. It is distinguished by abundant flowering.
Skalnica Arendsa - Saxifraga arendsii
Photo. raspberry, forum.PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
Arendsa Skalnica - planting and cultivation
Arends' Skalnica prefers quiet , semi-shaded sites as well as permeable and humus soils with a pH of 6.5-7.2. It is resistant and will also withstand much weaker, rocky or sandy ground and a sunny position, as long as it is provided with enough moisture. Plants do not tolerate the drying of the substrate badly.
Arends Skalnica can be plantedactually throughout the growing season, from the beginning of April to the end of September. It looks best when planted in a group.The spacing of Arends saxifrage is 9 plants per 1m² .
Arends' Skalnica does not require complicated maintenance . It is advisable to remove weeds growing between plants, watering during drought and removing faded inflorescences, which prolongs the flowering period.
Saxifrage is an undemanding plant and does not require regular fertilization. If we have covered the hole with fertile soil during planting,fertilization of Arends saxifragecan be started after 3-4 years, when we notice that the plant grows or blooms less well.Mineral fertilizers should be used carefully, because with too high doses it is easy to accumulate minerals in the substrate, which may lead to soil salinity, which the saxifrage does not tolerate.
It is best to feed the plant with mature compost, which is spread around the plants in a layer of about 2.5 cm. This will provide not only nutrients, but also additional protection of the roots against frost. Despite the high frost resistance (frost resistance zone 6A) , it is worth protecting saxifragesagainst dry winter winds and harsh sun before winter. They are best for: tuning, dried hornbeam or oak leaves or nonwoven agrotextile.
Skalnica Arendsa - Saxifraga arendsii
Photo. depositphotos.com
Arendsa's Skalnica - reproduction
Arends saxifragecan be multiplied in 3 ways:
Division of Arends saxifrages- is the most recommended method of reproduction of this species.The treatment is best carried out in the summer, after the flowering period, dividing the clump into smaller parts and planting the cuttings formed after dividing them directly into a new place, or first planting them on the seedbed, if they were not sufficiently rooted.
Arends saxifrage planting- propagate saxifrage cuttings in the fall (September-October). For this purpose, young rosettes are separated from the mother plant and, after rooting them in a cool greenhouse, they are transplanted to a permanent place in spring.
Sowing seeds of Arends saxifrage- young plants can also be obtained from seeds, which are sown in spring under covers, e.g. in an inspection frame. After the seedlings have germinated, we dive into single pots and plant them into the ground at the earliest in April. Saxifrage obtained from seeds will not bloom until the second year after planting.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
