Saxifraga caesia

Perennial of the Saxifragaceae family, the glaucous saxifrage is widespread in the calcareous massifs of the Alps, the Carpathians, the northern Apennines, and the eastern Pyrenees. It colonizes rocks, cliffs, and stabilized scree on calcareous substrate, generally between 1,600 and 3,000 meters in altitude, often in northern exposure or in semi-shaded positions protected from direct summer sun.

It belongs to the Porophyllum section and forms very tight cushions, consisting of numerous small rosettes of short, spatulate, glaucous to bluish-gray leaves, heavily encrusted with limestone on their upper surface. It is this characteristic glaucous hue that gives it its epithet. The youngest leaves, at the heart of the rosettes, often have yellowish tints. The flowers, borne on thin reddish stems 5 to 12 cm tall, are pure white. In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from July to August.

In cultivation, it requires a very well-drained calcareous substrate, a cool to semi-shaded exposure, and protection against stagnant moisture in winter. It is more demanding than other encrusting saxifrages and is particularly suited to pot or alpine trough culture.