East Greenland Saxifrage

Saxifraga nathorstii

Native to:
Albania, Aleutian Is., Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Czechia-Slovakia, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Labrador, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Svalbard, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan

📍 View on iNaturalist →

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Saxifragaceae
Genus:
Saxifraga
Species:
Saxifraga nathorstii
USDA Symbol:
SANA

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
15 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
jun,jul,aug
Bloom Colors:
white, yellow

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Arctic woolly bear moth (Gynaephora groenlandica), Ross's tussock moth (Gynaephora rossii), Franklin's blue (Agriades franklinii)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Deer Resistant:
Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to alpine and arctic regions; prefers crevices

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
Germination Time:
14–42 days
Notes:
Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and keep consistently moist in cool conditions.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow immediately, Either the viability of these seeds is short or the species propagates best with fresh seed. Stored seed might be coaxed into germination with temperature cycling and patience. * keep all seed pots x 2 years

Source: Ontario Rock Garden & Hardy Plant Society