Saxifraga ‘Primuloides’ hort.

minature London pride

  • © Richie Steffen / Great Plant Picks

  • © Richie Steffen / Great Plant Picks

  • © Richie Steffen / Great Plant Picks

Outstanding Qualities

This dwarf version of London pride is an indispensable groundcover for dense shade. Easy to accommodate, it is evergreen and phenomenally useful. Dark green rosettes of foliage make for an attractive growth habit. Slowly spreading by stolens, like strawberries, it is well behaved. It looks wonderful when planted between stone stepping stones or stairs.It can withstand dense shade and looks great even with heavy root competition from trees and shrubs. Additionally, it is drought resistant. It will produce airy flower spikes if planted in bright shade or full sun but not in dark shade. Removing stoloniferous offsets and planting them where you want them to grow is a good way to increase Saxifraga primuloides. This is best done in late fall and winter when rains prevents the propagules from desiccating. This is a workhorse of a groundcover for that very difficult cultural condition of dry, dark shade.

Quick Facts

Plant Type: perennial

Foliage Type: evergreen

Plant Height (10-year): 0 ft. 7 in. (0.18 meters)

Plant Width/Spread (10-year): 1 ft. 6 in. (0.46 meters)

Hardiness: USDA Zones 7 to 10

Flower Color: pink

Sun/Light Exposure: light to deep shade

Water Requirements: drought tolerant once established, but appreciates occasional water during very long dry spells

Seasonal Interest: diminutive year-round evergreen with spring flowers

Culture Notes

This small groundcover grows best in light to deep shade. Provide a location with moist to well-drained soil. It will tolerate sandy sites and clay if the drainage is adequate. Once established it is drought tolerant, but does appreciate occasional watering during prolonged dry weather. It can be divided in late fall and winter.