Saxifrage 'Dancing Pixies Tilda' is a low, spreading perennial for shade, with neat scalloped evergreen leaves and sprays of starry flowers in late summer and autumn, when most shady borders have little left to offer. It belongs to the autumn flowering woodland saxifrages, Saxifraga cortusifolia and S. fortunei hybrids.

It forms a clump of rounded leaves that works as ground cover, softening the edges of a shaded border, filling the gaps beneath shrubs or carpeting the ground in a woodland corner. The leaves stay on the plant through the year, though they can be marked in a hard winter.

Hardy in most of Britain, it wants a sheltered spot out of cold wind in partial or full shade, in moist but well drained, humus rich soil. It scorches and flags in hot sun or dry soil, so keep it watered in a dry spell. It also grows well in a pot or container on a shaded patio. It arrives in a 1.5 litre pot, ready to plant.

Upkeep is light. Watch for slugs and aphids, and for vine weevil if it is growing in a container.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Autumn Saxifrage, Woodland Saxifrage
• Botanical Name: Saxifraga cortusifolia and S. fortunei hybrids
• Growth Habit: Low, clump-forming ground cover
• Perfect For: Shaded borders, underplanting shrubs, rock gardens, woodland corners, containers
• Foliage: Rounded, scalloped, evergreen leaves
• Flowering Time: Late summer to autumn
• Planting Position: Partial shade to full shade, in a sheltered spot
• Soil Type: Moist but well drained, humus rich soil
• Hardiness: Hardy (RHS H4), best out of cold wind
• Seasonal Interest: Autumn flowers, evergreen leaves
• Type: Evergreen Perennial