The porcelain flower 'Clarence Elliott' knows how to impress. On the one hand, it is very frugal when it comes to soil and, on the other hand, it hardly needs any maintenance.
The 'Clarence Elliott' porcelain flower is a hybrid variety of the saxifrage genus (Saxifraga). A special breed that is characterized by a particularly compact, low growth. This makes the variety, also known as 'Elliott's Variety', an ideal ground cover. In addition, the hybrid's pink flowers make it a real eye-catcher in the garden.
The porcelain flower 'Clarence Elliott' (Saxifraga x urbium 'Clarence Elliott') often causes confusion among saxifrage species. The perennial is a cross between the British St Patrick's Cabbage (Saxifraga spathularis) and the Pyrenean shadow saxifrage (Saxifraga umbrosa). The parent species Saxifraga umbrosa in particular is very often confused with varieties of Saxifraga x urbium. Regardless, 'Clarence Elliott' is one of the most popular porcelain flower varieties for the garden. The reason for this is on the one hand the particularly decorative flowers of the plant, on the other hand this variety is also a variety with particularly good winter hardiness.
Caution, risk of confusion
➔ Saxifraga x urbium vs. Saxifraga umbrosa
Confusion between Saxifraga x urbium and Saxifraga umbrosa does not only occur with regard to the botanical technical name. In addition, the English nickname of the shadow saxifrage "London Pride" is often used incorrectly for the porcelain flower. In fact, there are some significant differences between the two species of saxifrage.
For example, the parent species of the porcelain flower grows up to 30 cm high. Saxifraga x urbium, on the other hand, only reaches a growth height of 5 to 15 cm. The flowers of the shadow saxifrage are rather soft pink to whitish with pink dots. In contrast, the porcelain flower 'Clarence Elliott' in particular has a strong pink-red flower color. And even the flower stalks are intensely red. As far as winter hardiness is concerned, the porcelain flower has a cold resistance of up to-20 °C much more robust and therefore better suited for cultivation in domestic gardens.
➔ Saxifraga x urbium vs. Hoya
There is further confusion in the case of the porcelain flower with the "real" porcelain flower (Hoya). The plant genus, also known as the wax flower, forms umbel-like inflorescences, unlike the porcelain flower. Although their flowers are similarly decorative, their structure differs fundamentally from saxifrage varieties such as Saxifraga x urbium 'Clarence Elliott'. Last but not least, the porcelain flower is a liana-like indoor plant, whereas the porcelain flower is mainly used as an ornamental plant outdoors.
Porcelain flower 'Clarence Elliott' in the garden
| Porcelain Flower 'Clarence Elliott' (Saxifraga x urbium 'Clarence Elliott') | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | rosette-like, loose clumps |
| Growth: | 5 - 15 cm |
| Growth: | 10 - 15 cm |
| Flowering: | June to July |
| Location: | Sun to partial shade |
| Floor: | fresh, well-drained, low humus and nutrient requirement |
Saxifrage species, like the saxifrage plant family that bears their name, got their name for a very specific reason. Because the plants are known for tirelessly breaking through rock. Even the smallest crevice in the rock is not safe from an eager breakthrough of the saxifrage. In the past, it was therefore wrongly assumed that the saxifrage was responsible for natural rock blasting. Today, however, we know that species of the genus Saxifraga only thrive wonderfully on rocky ground. This makes the plant natural for rocky to gritty planting concepts like the
- Alpine Gardens
- Rock Garden
- Japanese Garden
- Prairie Garden
- Rock Garden
particularly interesting. Saxifraga varieties such as 'Clarence Elliott' are also ideal for greening roofs or planting dry stone walls and quarry rock. Cultivation on rubble or gravel heaps is also conceivable.
Characteristic of Porzellanblümchen are on the one hand their original wheel blossoms. The petals feature a unique dotted pattern that can range from yellow-orange in the center to pink and magenta at the edge of the flower. There are also pink pistils that make the color spectacle of the flowers perfect. At the porcelain flower 'Clarence Elliott' come nextpink flower points, petals and pistils also add pink stamens. So fans of the color pink will get their money's worth here.
Species of the genus Saxifraga are no less famous for their fleshy, evergreen leaf rosettes. They conjure up decorative small cushions of green leaf roses in the bed. The transition between ground-covering, herbaceous perennials and low-growing succulents in varieties such as 'Clarence Elliott' is almost fluid. Accordingly, the plant is very similar to succulent plants in terms of its location requirements.
Ideal location for Saxifraga x urbium 'Clarence Elliott'
As already mentioned, Saxifrage prefers to grow in the wild on rocky ground and in mountainous regions. The natural range is mainly in temperate to cold climate regions, such as the Alps. There Saxifraga can still be found at an altitude of 4507 m. Many types and varieties of saxifrage are therefore unaffected by the cold. This also applies to Saxifraga x urbium 'Clarence Elliott'. Thanks to its good winter hardiness, the porcelain flower can be in the garden all year round without any problems. Winter protection is rarely required.
Depending on its origin, the porcelain flower prefers permeable and fresh as well as sandy-gravelly or gravelly-loamy soils. The substrate should definitely be low in humus and nutrients. Lime, on the other hand, is well tolerated by the plant. The ideal pH for Saxifraga x urbium 'Clarence Elliott' is in the acidic range, between 4 and 6. A sunny to partially shaded position is recommended.
Plant 'Clarence Elliott' Porcelain Flower
The porcelain flower is best planted in autumn. Choose a frost-free day and make sure that there is no threat of frost immediately after planting. This makes it easier for the perennial to grow quickly.
Since the plant prefers barren, nutrient and humus-poor locations, basic fertilization of the soil is not necessary. Instead, you can work some lime into the substrate.
The planting distance for the porcelain flower 'Clarence Elliott' is 20 cm. If you are looking for dense, spacious cushions, you can use up to 25 plants per square meter. A good tip for smaller plant arrangements are tuffs of 3 to 5 plants each.
Water and fertilize Saxifraga x urbium 'Clarence Elliott'
Porcelain flowers and saxifrage species in general are recommended again and again, especially for garden beginners. This is not only due to their low location requirements, but also totheir easy care.
The ground cover is watered moderately but regularly. However, it is sufficient to irrigate in the absence of precipitation. The soil should always dry well before the next watering.
Fertilization is basically not necessary with 'Clarence Elliott'. Since the plant prefers barren locations anyway, occasional lime application is sufficient to optimize the mineral soil. The lime requirement can later be covered with calcareous tap water.
Clarence Elliott Porcelain Flower Pruning
A pruning should be done on Saxifraga x urbium 'Clarence Elliott' in late autumn when flowering shoots and leaves gradually retract. Then remove any wilted panicles, that should do the trick.
Propagate Saxifraga x urbium 'Clarence Elliott'
➔ Porcelain Flower 'Clarence Elliott' propagate by cuttings
Propagation through offshoots is relatively uncomplicated for the porcelain flower. Simply take well developed, rooted leaf rosettes from the mother plant and transplant to a new location.
➔ Porcelain Flower 'Clarence Elliott' propagate by cuttings
Even unrooted rosettes can be used to propagate the porcelain flower. They just need to be watered a little more intensively to promote root growth. This works best in a separate planter, which you keep constantly moist until the budding.
Detecting and combating pests on porcelain flowers
There are a number of pests that can pose a threat to the 'Clarence Elliott' porcelain flower. These include, for example, the larvae of the vine weevil, aphids and occasionally snails.
➔ Vine weevil larvae
The larvae of the vine weevil mainly attack the roots of the plant and especially the fine roots. These are extremely important for the water supply of the porcelain flower. Vine weevil larvae often also promote secondary diseases caused by soil fungi. For example, the Verticillium wilt is feared here. A long-term infestation therefore usually leads to stunted growth, if not even to the death of the entire perennial.
The legless larvae of the vine weevil can be recognized very reliably by their white to milky-transparent coloring and their brown head the size of a pinhead. With conventional pesticides, the pests are often difficult to get rid of. Instead, application of roundworms (nematodes) is recommended. They penetrate the larvae and infect themExcretory bacteria so that the pests die off.
Tip: About 500,000 living specimens are needed per square meter. Simply add the nematodes to the irrigation water between spring and summer. After a few days, the damage should improve.
➔ Aphids
Aphids infest the above-ground parts of the plant on the porcelain flower. They can be fought relatively well with numerous biological agents such as nettle manure, onion broth or garlic broth. Another gentle variant are beneficial insects such as lacewings, ladybugs or parasitic wasps.
➔ Snails
There are different reports of snail infestation on porcelain flowers. Some claim snails avoid the plant entirely. Others report feeding damage from the mollusks.
If in doubt, putting up a snail fence can help. If an infestation has already occurred, there are also some biological alternatives in addition to slug pellets. Always happy to be recommended
- Alum Water
- Begonia manure
- Coffee grounds