Alpine And Rock Garden Plants

Question 1

Definition

Answer 1

Plants that grow at high altitudes, above the tree line. Also used more loosely to describe low growing rock garden plants that grow well at lower altitudes. May be deciduous, evergreen, herbaceous or bulbs.

Question 2

True alpines

Answer 2

Hardy with compact growth, rarely growing above 15cm. Adapted to extremes of temperature but few withstand constant wetness at the roots in winter or warm, humid summer conditions. Native habitat has thin, poor soul that lacks nutrients and organic matter.

Question 3

Rock garden plants

Answer 3

Slow growing plants of small stature. Include dwarf trees and shrubs. Roak garden plants can extend flowering season of interest by blooming after alpines.

Question 4

Rock garden design

Answer 4

Sunny south or south west facing slope.
Replicate as near is possible conditions.
Soil to provide cool, moist but free draining root run.
Soil can be adapted with addition of peat substitute and lots of grit.
Want low nutrients
Keep ground weed free
Keep soil free of pests and disease

Question 5

Building process

Answer 5

Excavate the site
Fill large bowl shaped indentation with rubble
Build up rocks to create desired effect.

Question 6

Scree beds

Answer 6

Fewer rocks and boulders.
Slope allows water to drain even more freely.
For soils mix but in twice as much grit as normal rock garden.
Leaky hose from the top can simulate snow melt.

Question 7

Gravel garden

Answer 7

Now more popular than rock or scree gardens.

Should have little organic matter and be incredibly free draining

Question 8

Alpines in containers

Answer 8

Stone troughs and old stone sinks are popular.
Standard potting compost with about one third stone chippings.
Slow release fertiliser can be added at this stage.
Acid loving plants need lime free compost with added granite or sandstone chippings.

Question 9

Benefits of container growing

Answer 9

Can be easily transported and moved under cover.
Materials might be stone, reconstituted stone, hyper tufa.
Drainage holes essential, with layers of rock and grit in the bottom.
Use loam with extra grit or alpine compost.
Bed narrow rocks to plant between and top dress with rocks and gravel.

Question 10

Routine maintenance

Answer 10

Weeding
Feeding with a top dressing of bone meal each spring
Renewing top dressings with course grit or stone chippings
Watering in periods of drought.
Pruning Woodey plants
Removing deal flowers and foliage
Cutting back encroaching plants.
Controlling pests and disease.
Winter protection