Saxifraga oregana

Common Names

Oregon Saxifrage, Bog Saxifrage

Summary

Oregon saxifrage (Saxifraga oregana), also called bog saxifrage, is a long-lived perennial native to western North America. It grows from a thick, fleshy or woody caudex and forms a basal rosette of glandular, densely hairy leaves 3–10 inches long. The inflorescence rises on a tall peduncle and bears clusters of small white to greenish-white flowers in spring, providing an early-season display in bogs, stream banks, and wet meadows at mid-elevations.

Moisture-loving and tolerant of sun to shade, it prefers consistently moist, well-drained soils and is suitable for restoration on wet sites such as stream banks and wetlands. Hardiness is typically USDA zones 5b–9b. Propagation is by seeds, division, and stem cuttings; seeds are not dormant and germinate best after warm temperatures followed by a cool period, and the caudex can be divided to yield multiple plants. In cultivation, Oregon saxifrage serves as an ornamental ground cover and erosion-control plant, provides early-season nectar for native pollinators, and management may include periodic mowing, grazing, or burning to prevent displacement by grasses; not toxic to humans or common pets and is generally deer-resistant.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1-4 feet

Spread

12-18 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 6a-6b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Partial Shade to Full Sun.

Soil Type

Wet, waterlogged soil

Soil Drainage

Wet, poorly drained soils (waterlogged)

Soil pH

6.0-7.0, slightly acidic to neutral

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Grass-green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow-growing

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators