Nice cushions

[Hoy]

No, for comfort, I prefer this sort of cushion but it wouldn't do near so well outdoors...  

Nice embroidery, Lori, your handiwork?

[Lori S.]

Thanks, Trond!  No, it is my sister's work.  I don't do anything clever or useful... other than going to work, I guess. 

[Hoy]

Thanks, Trond!  No, it is my sister's work.  I don't do anything clever or useful... other than going to work, I guess. 

You do! You garden!

[alpinelover]

One of the highlights of my trip to Kazakhstan last September was finding Saxifraga albertii, the only Porophyllum that grew in the Tian Shan where we travelled, growing far above treeline (a single small specimen) but then again below treeline on a harsh, gravelly riverbed on the steppes! The picture was taken at the edge of the Djabagly Nature reserve, actually on the Kirghizstan side of the river separating the two nations (we crossed illegally!): it was such a surprise to find a magnificent cushion nearly 30cm across on gravel, at such a low elevation! We did get quite a bit of seed. I would love to see it in white bloom in the spring!

The last picture shows the highest peak in Kirghiztan, not far from where I photographed the saxifrage: it is apparently very popular with climbers: the day was a bit overcast, and I had to zoom in a bit to get the shot...the peak is about 5000m: the Tian Shan are truly awe-inspiring mountains!

That is most certainly a beautiful cushion.

[alpinelover]

Not exactly a cushion, certainly not now!
This is all I can see of my roof grown saxes today!

Here in Belgium, near the coast, the snow is gone for a week. Some flower buds already showing. Soon it starts again.

[alpinelover]

Oops, i forgot the photo.

[alpinelover]

On a tufarock, the cushions are even more compact. Saxifraga stribrnyi on the first photograph stands on a tufarock, the plant on the second picture stands in the soil of the rock garden. By the first plant the rosettes are closer together. Also, the color of the rosettes is more intense. Tufa and Saxifrages are born for each other.

[alpinelover]

I did forgot them again. 

[Hoy]

Very nice, alpinelover!
My cushions are not so tight and compact neither with nor without snow! Too much shade where I grow them. (The snow has disappeared from the cushions now.)

[Lesley Cox]

The first of your two pictures is just what we should aspire to Alpinelover. I've recently planted out some seedlings of S. stribrynii in a trough and they are more the green shade. I have no tufa available but will add some pumice and see what happens.

[astragalus]

Love your cusion, Lori - the best kind for the winter.