Saxifraga stolonifera, strawberry begonia
Family: Saxifragaceae
Description:
This evergreen perennial is ground spreading and produces roots along hair-like stems, or stolons, to form a solid mat. Leaves are rounded with scalloped margins and hold themselves flat. Foliage is dark green with pronounced white veination. Back of leaf is often tinged purple. Small flowers emerge in summer with a distinctive arrangement of petals (two larger petals at the base of flower and three small petals at top). There are many different cultivars with a wide variety of colors.
Growing conditions:
Saxifraga stolonifera prefers shade and well-drained soil, growing denser with larger leaves in this environment.
Suitable uses:
This is a useful evergreen groundcover, providing green foliage in winter and delicate flowering interest in spring/summer. It is ideal for a woodland environment and good at suppressing weeds.
CC Image courtesy of Forest and Kim Starr on Flickr
