23. Saxifrage Garden
This garden is a taxonomic collection of the genus Saxifrage. Some of the most spectacular alpine plants in the world, these plants are found throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere and into South America. There are 480 known species many of which are alpines that form spectacular evergreen domes or mats which thrive in rock gardens. The Saxifrage Society is a British society devoted to the genus and has a very informative web page with information and publications available.

Saxifraga oppositifolia

Saxifragia bertolonii

Saxifraga sempervivum

Our collections boast some 100 taxa, some species and many cultivated varieties. Among the most spectacular are Saxifraga grisebachii, S. sempervivum and S. valdensis, with their silver encrusted leaves and tight rosettes. Closer to the waterfall mossy types fills the crevices between the boulders including Saxifraga caespitosa and many cultivated varieties such as the showy red Saxifraga 'Garnet'.

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At the base of the wall, mat and cushion plants of the alpine tundra spread alongside the pathway, interrupted by the large upright heads of the alpine sunflower, Hymonoxy grandiflora, better know as 'Old Man of the Mountains'. Here many of the alpine phlox such as P.condenstata and P.hendersonii grow with Oxyria dygina, Alpine sorrel and Phacelia sericea or Purple fringe.

Cirsium scopulorum