Saxifraga Lakmé

Saxifraga 'Lakmé', from the Opera series, is a recent French hybrid, distinguished by its abundant late flowering in autumn. The lace-like flowers, carried on long stems, are white-pink with superb jade green reflections. The semi-evergreen toothed leaves are dark green. They form a small tuft that will work wonders in a shady rock garden, in humus-rich and rather acidic soil that does not dry out. It can also be grown in a pot.

'Lakmé' is a hybrid of Saxifraga fortunei, a little gem native to the woodlands of Japan. It belongs to the Saxifragaceae family, which provides gardeners with both tiny plants, such as alpine rock saxifrages, and giants like rodgersia, magnificent waterside plants.

'Lakmé' was recently obtained by Olivier Galéa (Sous un Arbre Perché Nursery). It is a particularly floriferous variety, bringing life to the garden between October and November, when flowers are scarce. The delicately sculpted 5-petalled stars are born white-pink and then take on an attractive jade green hue, which is very elegant. The dark green, fleshy leaves with toothed margins form a small low tuft that is 40cm (16in) in diameter and about 15cm (6in) high. When in bloom, however, the plant reaches 40cm (16in), with the stems rising well above the foliage.

The whole plant is a little gem that deserves attention. To succeed, they require soft, light, humus-rich, slightly acidic, and rather fertile soil that is well-drained and does not dry out. Shade or partial shade, without direct sunlight, suits them. Woodland rich in leaf compost is ideal! They have good hardiness (-15°C (5°F) approximately), but they do not like cold drafts, and waterlogged winter soils are fatal to them. The foliage is deciduous below -5°C (23°F) and will return in spring if the growing conditions are suitable. You can mulch their base, but be careful not to create a buildup of moisture around them during winter (especially with dead leaves).

Growing them in pots is a good alternative if the soil in your garden is too heavy. In this case, provide the plant with a well-aerated substrate, and it will reward you with a rich flowering. Regularly renew the substrate. Given the refined character of this variety, opt for an enamelled pot, for example, which will have the best effect. If frost is intense, protect the pots or, if possible, shelter them in a cold greenhouse.

Planted en masse, Saxifraga 'Lakmé' will create a spectacular effect in your shady borders. Of course, you can also create a mixed border with various saxifrage varieties. Keep in mind, however, that these plants are not excellent ground covers on their own - consider Viola labradorica, a pretty little violet that self-seeds without bothering its neighbours. You can also plant them with other Asian plants, but not overly invasive ones, such as Dryopteris sieboldii, Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum', Japanese forest grass, or the delicate Selaginella involvens, all topped by the graceful decaisnea (blue bean tree).