4. Understand The Choice Of Alpine And Rock Garden Plants And How To Grow Them

Question 1

Name 5 alpine or rock garden plants for spring display - no heaths, heathers or conifers

Answer 1

Pulsatilla vulgaris
Alyssum serpyllifolium
Primula rosea
Daphne cneorum
Gentiana acaulis

Question 2

Name 5 alpine or rock garden plants for summer display

Answer 2

Leontopodium alpinum
Helianthemum nummularium
Dianthus alpinus
Phlox douglasii
Hypericum olympicum

Question 3

State what is meant by true alpines

Answer 3

They mostly come from mountainous regions and many are very hardy.

Question 4

State what is meant by rock garden plants

Answer 4

Plants that grow well from the little organic matter available.

Question 5

Describe soil characteristics, soil preparation and routine maintenance for the display of alpine or rock garden plants in open soil

Answer 5

Soil requirements - free draining, good aeration, ability to hold moisture, appropriate pH, low nutrient content, free of weeds, pests and diseases
Preparation for planting in rock gardens, scree beds and gravel borders - weed soil, incorporate organic matter. Add lime or ericaceous compost to planting pocket as required to fit the pH requirements of the plant to be planted there. Incorporate git, vermiculite and perlite for drainage and water retention. Crushed bricks can be added for drainage.
Routine maintenance - Trimming, mulching with grit, winter protection, weeding, control of one pest - aphids - blast of water, application of fatty acids to foliage, encourage natural predators
Control of one disease - powdery mildew - plant resistant cultivars, when planting ensure adequate air circulation around plants, remove infected foliage, don’t get leaves when when watering

Question 6

Describe the choice of container, the characteristics and preparation of the growing medium and the routine maintenance required for an alpine or rock garden display in containers

Answer 6

Growing media requirements- Free draining, good aeration, ability to hold moisture, appropriate pH, low nutrient content, free of weeds, pests and diseases
Factors affecting the choice of container/sink, trough - adequate drainage - drainage holes at base, style of garden, size of plants, colour of plants and features in garden, frost proof, large enough to also contain some rocks, container should have feet to avoid water sitting under container. Material can affect which plants eg limestone is alkaline, granite or sandstone is acidic.
Planting methods - Add crock and fill bottom third with coarse gravel. Add a layer of peat substitute or inverted, thinly cut turf. Add slightly moist growing medium to 2cm below the top of the container. Place some large rocks in container. Tufa can be used to create ledges and pockets for plants. Bury rocks 1/3 in soil for stability. Place plants in container, leaving room for the plants to mature. Use plants with similar growth patterns so they don’t over compete. Water.
Routine maintenance - trimming, mulching with grit, weeding, winter protection, watering.
Control of 1 pest - aphids - blast with cold water, encourage ladybirds, spray with fatty acid, squash when seen
Control of 1 disease - powdery mildew - only water at the roots or from below, water in the morning, plant with sufficient air flow, use resistant cultivars.