Micranthes californica
California saxifrage
Overview
Micranthes californica is a low perennial herb in the saxifrage family that grows from a basal rosette of leaves, sending up a leafless flowering stalk 6-16 inches (15-40 cm) tall. The rosette leaves are oval to spoon-shaped, 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) long, with toothed margins and a slightly fleshy texture, often reddish on the underside. In late winter to spring, the slender reddish stalk carries an open, branched cluster of small white flowers, each about 0.25 inch (6 mm) across with five petals and contrasting orange to red anthers. It grows on rocky slopes, grassy banks, and the edges of oak woodland from central California into southern Oregon, in soils that are moist in winter and spring but dry through summer. The plant goes dormant in the dry season, with the rosette withering until cool rains return. It tolerates summer drought once dormant but rots in soils kept wet through the hot months. Formerly placed in Saxifraga spp., it is one of several western species moved to the genus Micranthes spp.. It is small and easily passed over except during its brief spring bloom.
Native Range
Micranthes californica is native to the western United States, from central California north into southwestern Oregon. It grows on rocky slopes, grassy hillsides, and the margins of oak woodland and chaparral, in ground that is moist in winter and spring and dry in summer.Suggested Uses
Micranthes californica is used in rock gardens, native plant gardens, and seasonal containers in dry-summer climates. It is planted 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) apart in groups for early-spring bloom. It pairs with other spring-flowering natives that tolerate summer dormancy.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6" - 1'4"
Width/Spread4" - 8"
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in late winter and spring, from about February to May depending on elevation and rainfall. The open cluster of small white flowers opens over roughly six weeks. After bloom, the plant sets seed and enters summer dormancy.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White with orange-red anthersFoliage Description
Green, often reddish beneathGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Micranthes californica grows in part shade to full sun in well-drained rocky or loamy soil that stays moist through winter and spring. It withstands summer drought by going dormant and rots if soils are kept wet during the hot, dry season. It suits rock gardens, native plantings, and containers that follow a wet-winter, dry-summer cycle. No fertilizer is needed in lean soils. Watering is tapered off as the rosette dies back in early summer. It is hardy in USDA zones 7-9.Pruning
Micranthes californica needs no pruning. Spent flower stalks can be removed after seed set, or left to self-sow. The withered rosette is left in place as the plant enters summer dormancy.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons