Saxifraga stolonifera
strawberry begonia
SaxifragaceaeAiry sprays of delicate white flowers;
rounded leaves with scalloped margins and
silver veining
12–18 in. (4–8 in.) high; 12–18 in. wide
Part shade–full shade
Blooms May–June
Zones 6–9
pruning The blooms last for only a
few weeks in late spring. The flower
stems then collapse and disappear;
gardeners impatient for this to happen
naturally may wish to prune out spent
blooms promptly. Plants spread by
means of strawberrylike runners with
plantlets attached, and growth may be
easily curtailed by pulling or digging
out any unwanted sections. The
foliage is evergreen in a protected spot.
After harsh winters, the leaves may
look rough and need some tidying
with a quick shearing. Fresh new
foliage will follow in spring.
other maintenance This lovely
old-fashioned foliage plant is often
grown as a houseplant. It appreciatesmoist but well-drained shady sites and
a woodsy soil or one amended with
compost or leaf mold.
related plantS Saxifraga stolonif-
era ‘Maroon Beauty’ has burgundy-
infused leaves. ‘Harvest Moon’ sports
bright yellow leaves and must be
carefully sited so it receives enough
light to bring out the yellow tones but
not so much that the foliage burns.
Saxifraga is a diverse genus repre-
sented by hundreds of species, but
only a couple are mentioned here
because the vast majority of them are
poor performers in the average
American perennial border; they
prefer the sharp drainage of the rock
garden and a cooler, gentler climate
than most areas of the United States
can provide.
Saxifraga ×urbium (London pride) is
another relatively adaptable selection
that could be given a try. Its leathery
evergreen rosettes are topped with
white flowers in late spring; S. ×urbium
‘Aureopunctata’ is an especially
charming form with yellow-splotched
foliage for year-round interest.Saxifraga stolonifera