Two of my favourites.

1st photo is 'sempervivium' aka 'house leek' & a very nice variety btw.

2nd is 'saxifraga umbrosa' aka 'London Pride' dont seem to see this plant as often now. That is a an excellent group in the corner of the lawn.

Both hardy & prefering good drainage as a rule.

I agree with Bampy, but the saxifraga grows like a weed round here. It appears all over the place. Mind you it's abetter choice than creeping buttercup or the red oxalis:-)

Ahh London Pride, I remember it growing in the garden as a child, there were lots and lots of it, a lovely plant but yes you're right Bampy you don't see it very much now, suppose its not "trendy" eh?

My Mum has London Pride in her back garden ... think it's probably been there for the last 50 years ... lol!

Wow 50 years, its as old as me!! its a real doer isn't it, I think I might see if I can get hold of some, fancy a little blast from the past in the garden :0)

Dido, would you like a clump from Mums garden ? I'm sure she'd be happy to let some go travelling ! PM me your address if you do. : o ))

let's revive this good ol stalwart & make it hip again, only takes some upstart trendy garden program presenter to chuck it in a horrendously reflective container that looks like a car scrapyard & we all want abit of it again ;-)) oh!! & then up go the prices in the garden centre :-((

Yin and Yang Bampy!!! LOL

yin & yang indeed D ;-)

LOL! I was going to rip it out! It is so black and slimy at the base of the saxafraga I thought it was on it's way out.

It's kind of blocked in by grass and paving so can't really spread. Given the popularity here it has won a reprieve :)

Thanks for the IDs - I really like the house leek, not heard of it before.

you can also grow it on your roof to ward away lightning & witch'es. ( so the stories go ;-))