An invaluable species of the saxifrage family which gives us several variants, all being useful clump forming and shade loving plants. Found amongst cool moist woodland in western North America. In our garden situations the plants will put up with much drier conditions. The winter interest forms are particularly welcome and form ideal companions to taller snowdrops and early Narcissus.
The nectar-rich flowers provide food for bees and flies, but their preferred shady situations generally have few insects flying within them. The clump-forming habit does of course provide shelter for beneficial garden predatory insects and amphibians. Despite its relative ubiquity in British gardens, in parts of its native range in North America it is considered to be endangered.