Saxifraga × urbium facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saxifraga × urbiumLondon Pride |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Saxifragales |
| Family: | Saxifragaceae |
| Genus: | Saxifraga |
| Species: |
S. × urbium
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| Binomial name | |
| Saxifraga × urbium |
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Saxifraga × urbium, often called London Pride, is a popular garden plant. It is an evergreen perennial, meaning it stays green all year and lives for many years. This plant produces pretty flowers.
People sometimes call London Pride by other fun names. These include St. Patrick's cabbage, whimsey, prattling Parnell, and look up and kiss me. Before the 1700s, the name "London Pride" was actually used for a different flower called Sweet William.
What is London Pride?
London Pride is a special kind of plant called a hybrid. This means it was created by crossing two different parent plants. Its parents are Saxifraga umbrosa and Saxifraga spathularis.
Saxifraga umbrosa comes from the Pyrenees mountains in Spain. Saxifraga spathularis is found in western Ireland. The plant we know as London Pride has existed since at least the 1600s.
Sometimes, the name "London Pride" is used for other plants that are closely related. These plants belong to the same group, or genus, called saxifrage. For example, there's the lesser London pride and the miniature London pride.
Plant Description and Growth
London Pride is a very tough plant. It can grow well even in dry and shady places. It usually grows to be about 15 to 30 centimeters (6 to 12 inches) tall.
This plant spreads quickly to cover the ground. It does this without taking over other plants too much. In late spring, it produces many small, pale pink flowers. These flowers grow from strong stems.
London Pride is a great plant for city gardens. It can grow in tough spots where other flowers might struggle. You might even see it growing wild in places where it has escaped from gardens.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given this plant a special award. It's called the Award of Garden Merit. This award means it is an excellent plant for gardens.
Symbolism and History
London Pride has a special meaning, especially in the city of London. A bishop named Walsham How once wrote a poem about the flower. He thought its name meant it was proud, which he saw as a sin.
But when he learned that Londoners were proud of the flower, he wrote another poem. This second poem apologized to the plant!
There's a popular story about London Pride during World War II. People say it quickly grew on the bombed sites in London. These sites were left after the London Blitz in the early 1940s.
Because of this, London Pride became a symbol. It represents the strength and spirit of London and its people. It shows how they bounced back after difficult times. A famous song by Noël Coward called "London Pride" also celebrated the city and the flower. This song was very popular during the war.
In the old "language of flowers," London Pride stands for being lighthearted and fun. Its special day is said to be July 27th.
