Chrysosplenium macrophyllum

Chrysosplenium macrophyllum, also known as the Large-leaved Golden Saxifrage, is a perennial plant that makes an excellent shade ground cover in moist and clayey soils. This evergreen Chinese species is reminiscent of a Bergenia with its large fleshy leaves and clusters of white-pink flowers from late winter. Very hardy and decorative, it spreads rapidly through its stolons, eventually forming an original, dense carpet. Worth discovering! 

Chrysosplenium macrophyllum belongs to the saxifrage family. It is native to China, specifically the eastern Yunnan, where it grows at an altitude of 1200 m. Its natural habitat consists of humid forest undergrowth. It is a very hardy, vigorous perennial plant that spreads fairly quickly through stolons, similar to strawberries. At their tips, a small rosette emerges which will take root upon contact with the soil. Its vegetation is evergreen and exceeds 15 cm (6in) in height, quickly covering an area of 1 m² or more, spreading without theoretical limits. This species forms rosettes of tough, ovate leaves up to 20 cm (8in) long with wavy edges, and hairy on both sides. The glaucous green leaves take on beautiful reddish tones in the cold. Slightly fragrant flowering occurs between January and March-April depending on the climate. In late winter, a thick reddish stem covered with fine white scales emerges from the foliage bearing clusters of small flowers with toothed petals at its tip from which fine stamens escape, surrounded by green or pinkish, toothed, bracts. 

Golden saxifrages are plants for damp shade which are low-maintenance once they are well established. The Large-leaved Golden Saxifrage is one of the prettiest and slightly less demanding in terms of water, being satisfied with not-too-dry garden soil in summer, rich in humus and clay. It can be used as a ground cover as well as for greening damp and shaded rockeries. A lovely scene can be created by planting it with other cool shade perennials, such as lungworts, pink astilbes, Virginia bluebells, Virginia spiderworts, and even hellebores that bloom at the same time.