Malcolm McGregor was born in 1947 in London, and has been growing alpine plants for over 25 years - and saxifrages for most of that time. He says that it is the unforced charm of mountain plants that most attracts him. Malcolm was the editor of the Scottish Rock Garden Club (2000-2006), and the Saxifrage Society (1993-2003), as well as chairman of the Saxifrage Society (2003-2006). He has traveled widely in search of saxifrages - in North America, Europe, Turkey, Morocco, the Himalayas, the Olympic Mountains, Austria, and Italy. He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics and philosophy from the University of York, as well as a bachelor's degree in English literature and economic history from the University of Hull. Malcolm has been a professional teacher and lecturer for thirty-five years as well as having worked in arts administration and in writing computer software for the engineering industry. He is now a freelance writer and an enthusiastic lecturer on alpine plants and gardening. He has twice undertaken lecture tours across North America for the North American Rock Garden Club and once for the Scottish Rock Garden Club. He has written several titles including: Saxifrages: The Complete Cultivars and Hybrids, and Saxifrages from Scratch. Malcolm currently lives in East Yorkshire, England.

Offers accounts of saxifrages, their botany, history, cultivation and propagation. This book describes various sections of the genus Saxifraga, first discursively for the general gardener and then from a botanical viewpoint. It includes advice on using saxifrages in different parts of the garden. It is intended for gardeners new to the genus.