Mossy saxifrage 'Peter Pan'
Saxifraga 'Peter Pan'. Family Saxifragaceae. Perennial.
Also called Saxifraga × arendsii 'Peter Pan', 'Peter Pan' mossy saxifrage.
'Peter Pan' is a small, evergreen perennial that forms cushions of finely divided green leaves, topped with rose-red to deep pink flowers in spring. Grow it in a cool rock garden, trough or lightly shaded border edge where its roots can stay moist without sitting in wet soil. It struggles in prolonged heat, especially with high humidity.
At a glance
- Sun
- Partial shade, especially afternoon shade in warmer areas; full sun is suitable in cool climates if the roots stay moist.
- Water
- Keep evenly moist during active growth; do not let the shallow root system dry out completely. Avoid waterlogged soil, especially in winter.
- Soil
- Humus-rich, gritty, well-drained soil that retains some moisture; slightly acidic to neutral soil is suitable.
- Height
- 0.3-0.7 ft (0.1-0.2 m), including flower stems
- Spread
- 0.5-1 ft (0.15-0.3 m)
- Flowers
- Mid- to late spring; rose-red to deep pink, five-petalled flowers on slender stems.
- Foliage
- Small, finely divided green leaves packed into moss-like evergreen cushions.
- Growth
- Moderate, forming a low cushion that gradually spreads outward.
- Care needed
- Medium
The year at a glance
- Pollinators
- Cold hardy
- Low allergen
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Toughness
- Needs looking after
Will it suit your garden?
Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.
Full sun is 6 or more hours of direct sun a day, part shade 3 to 6 hours, shade under 3.
How it grows
Planting day
0.5 ft (0.15 m)
full size
About 3 years to full size.
From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.
Good to know
- Cats and dogs
- Safe
- Growth rate
- Moderate
Care
Jobs through the year
- WaterMar–May, Sep–Oct, every 7 days
- Water established cushions when the surface starts drying; keep new divisions consistently moist, never saturated.
- WaterJun–Aug, every 3 days
- Check shallow roots frequently and water at soil level if drying; skip watering when rain keeps soil moist.
- FeedMar–Apr
- Give one light application of balanced fertiliser as growth resumes.
- MulchMar–Apr
- Refresh a thin grit dressing around the crown without covering the cushion.
- PruneMar
- Gently remove dead or browned foliage without cutting into healthy growth.
- DeadheadMay–Jun
- Snip spent stems above the cushion after flowering.
- DivideMay–Jun
- After flowering, replant healthy rooted outer sections only if cushions are congested or bare-centred.
- ProtectJun–Aug
- Provide afternoon shade during hot weather to prevent scorching and summer collapse.
- ProtectJan–Feb, Oct–Dec
- Remove fallen leaves and wet debris, keeping crowns and drainage routes clear.
- Water at soil level whenever the surface begins to dry, particularly during warm weather.
- Plant with the crown at soil level and provide free drainage beneath it.
- Apply a light feeding of balanced fertiliser in spring; avoid heavy feeding.
- Use a thin dressing of grit around the crown rather than moisture-holding mulch over the foliage.
- Divide healthy outer sections after flowering if the centre becomes bare or the cushion grows congested.
Pruning. Snip off spent flower stems after flowering without cutting deeply into the cushion. Remove dead or browned foliage gently in early spring.
Through the year
- Early spring
- Remove dead foliage, check drainage and give a light feed.
- Spring
- Plant in a cool, well-drained position and water thoroughly while roots establish.
- Late spring
- Remove faded flower stems after the main display.
- Early summer
- Divide congested cushions after flowering, keeping divisions shaded and moist while they root.
- Summer
- Check soil moisture frequently during hot spells and protect plants from strong afternoon sun.
- Autumn
- Clear fallen leaves from the cushion and make sure surrounding drainage remains open.
- Winter
- Keep the crown clear of wet debris and avoid watering containers while their compost is already wet.
In the garden
- Tuck into cool rock-garden pockets where flowers can spill over stone.
- Use in an alpine trough with dwarf bellflowers and other small plants that need moisture and good drainage.
- Edge a lightly shaded path with low evergreen cushions and spring colour.
- Plant beside primroses and small spring bulbs at the front of a cool border.
Garden styles it suits: Alpine rock garden, Cottage garden, Small-space, Blues and silvers, English country and Modern courtyard.
Plant it with: Primroses, Dwarf bellflowers, Snowdrops, Dwarf columbines and Dwarf ferns.
Wildlife: The open flowers provide pollen and nectar for small bees and other visiting insects.
Problems to watch for
- Crown or root rot in wet soil: improve drainage, keep the crown uncovered and avoid watering already saturated soil.
- Summer browning or collapse: provide afternoon shade and consistent moisture; prolonged hot, humid weather may remain unsuitable.
- Vine weevil larvae, especially in containers: inspect roots of wilting plants and use an appropriate biological control when soil temperatures allow.
- Bare or dying cushion centres: remove dead material and replant healthy rooted outer sections after flowering.
Safety
Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses. No particular plant part is recognised as poisonous, but it is not a food plant.
Easily confused with
Irish moss (Sagina subulata)
Forms a flatter carpet of narrow, needle-like leaves with tiny white flowers, rather than divided leaves and pink flowers on taller stems.
London pride (Saxifraga × urbium)
Has larger, rounded, leathery leaves in distinct rosettes and airy sprays of small pale pink flowers on much taller stems.
The name
Saxifraga comes from Latin words meaning 'stone-breaker', while 'mossy' describes the dense cushions of small green leaves.
Propagation. Divide rooted outer sections after flowering, or root small non-flowering rosettes in a gritty propagation mix. Keep them cool, lightly shaded and moist but not wet. Seed-grown plants will not reliably retain the cultivar's characteristics.
Checked against open data
- Accepted botanical name
- Saxifraga
Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.
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