Saxifraga stolonifera

Saxifraga stolonifera in bloom in the former garden of Pamela and the late Harry Fowell in Sydney

Sometimes known as 'mother of thousands', this is an excellent groundcover for shady sites - even full shade (ht 20cm). It is a native of eastern Asia. It has rounded leaves with pretty silver veins and spreads by stolons, though it is never a nuisance. In late October, it sends up petite flower stalks with tiny white blooms, which are like a cloud of miniature moths. It forms an excellent carpet. It needs some moisture to be seen at its best, but has no other requirements and will cope with some dryness. I have found that it will climb up shady walls!

Saxifraga stolonifera with Iresine herbstii

Saxifraga stolonifera with Iresine herbstii

I like to pair it with Arthropodium cirratum, the New Zealand renga renga lily, which flowers at the same time with vaguely similar-shaped blooms. It is also pretty grown with rhizomatous Begonia which have their airy flowers around the same time and also prefer shade; and the Saxifraga has a sort of a Begonia 'look' to it, somehow, which makes them look good together! I also like to pair the Saxifraga with the white-variegated form of Iris japonica to echo the flowers. Propagate from the plantlets that form and root at the tips of the stolons.

Saxifraga stolonifera Tricolor

Saxifraga stolonifera Tricolor

In cooler climates such as the Blue Mountains of NSW, I have seen a lovely cultivar with splashes of white and red tinges on the foliage (known as 'Tricolor'), and another with distinct burgundy segments between the leaf veins; I am not sure if they would grow well in Sydney but I have purchased 'Tricolor' and will see how it goes! I have also heard of (but never seen) a golden-leaved version.