Saxifraga arendsii Purpurteppich

Saxifrage arendsii 'Purpurteppich' is a lovely small evergreen cushion, which is covered with a multitude of purple-pink flowers in spring. It will enhance rockeries in light sun or partial shade, in well-drained soil.

As its name suggests, this variety belongs to the Saxifragaceae family. Its evergreen foliage, with small rosettes of dentate bright green leaves, gives it its common name of mossy saxifrage. The plant forms a cute little cushion, which slowly spreads by forming lateral rosettes 5cm (2in) tall and 20cm (8in) wide. Between April and May, this little dome is covered with purple-pink flowers, which envelope the foliage for a few weeks. 

A fan of moist rockeries, Saxifrage 'Purpurteppich' requires rich and humus-rich substrate. It can creep into crevices or gaps in paving. It will not be comfortable in very dry soils or under scorching sun.

Planted en masse, it can line the edge of a gravel path. It can also be perfectly grown in a pot, following the same conditions as in open ground: light, moist but well-draining substrate. It can be planted with other perennials requiring the same conditions, such as some ferns (Phyllitis scolopendrium, Cheilanthes lanosa) or even with Alchemilla erythropoda, and of course with other varieties of mossy saxifrages such as 'Pixie' or 'Peter Pan'.