Understand the choice of alpine and rock garden plants and how to grow them

Question 1

What is a true alpine?

Answer 1

Alpines originate in mountainous regions above the treeline - tough and extreme conditions / adaptations specific to alpine environments

cold temperatures / lack of water / strong winds / harsh sun and thin, rocky soil / low growing / bright flowers

Question 2

What is a rock garden plant?

Answer 2

Plants adapted to growing around rocks in very free-draining soil and low nutrient conditions

Adapted to a variety of environments

Question 3

Name FIVE apline or rock garden plans for spring display and FIVE for summer display

Answer 3

Spring

1. Pulsatilla vulgaris
2. Aubrieta ‘Red Carpet
3. Omphalodes verna
4. Euphorbia myrsinites
5. Iberis sempervirens

Summer

1. Thymus praecox
2. Sedum acre
3. Dianthus alpinus
4. Saxifraga ‘Monarch’
5. Erigeron karvinskianus

Question 4

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

Answer 4

To include soil requirements (free draining, good aeration, ability to hold moisture, appropriate pH, low nutrient content, free of weeds, pests and diseases)

Preparation of planting in rock gardens, scree beds and gravel borders

Routine maintenance to include trimming, mulching with grit, winter protection, weeding, control of ONE relevant pest and ONE disease for these situations

Question 5

Soil requirements for alpine or rock garden

Answer 5

free draining, good aeration, ability to hold moisture, appropriate pH, low nutrient content, free of weeds, pests and diseases

Question 6

How to prepare the ground for planting in alpine/rock garden

Answer 6

Work in large quantities of sharp sand and horticultural grit

Potting mix - 50:50 low nutrient compost and grit (also sand)

Consider planting pockets and troughs if working on large-scale heavy soil

Consider pH of the rock - plants will have adapted to the pH of their native soil, based on the rock checmistry

Allow soil to settle before planting

Planting sparsely with intervening ground covered in stones etc.. can look more natural than massed plants

Add rocks!

Question 7

Describe the maintenance of an alpine/rock garden

Answer 7

Trimming: after flowering or at the start of the growing season to maintain the shape of the plant and reduce the size/spread of the plant / remove spent flowers and diseased, dead or damaged plant material

Watering: adapted to little water, they will need watering in while establishing and in long periods of no rain

Weeding: Weed regularly to regularly as weeds can often overwhelm the small compact alpines

Mulch with grit: to suppress weeds and maintain aesthetic / prevents rotting of lower leaves / stops rain splashing mud onto flowers / helps deter slugs and snails

Winter protection: They can’t get waterlogged - rot and die - move containers into lee of wall to get less rain, ensure containers raised on bricks to help drainage / cover plants with cloches but ensure adequate airflow

Question 8

Describe control of ONE pest and ONE disease of alpine plants

Answer 8

Slugs - remove by hand, ensure decaying plant matter is removed

Grey mould - ensure good ventiliation - remove infected and decaying material and trim frequently / space plants appropriately don’t overcrowd

Question 9

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 9

To include growing media requirements (free draining, good aeration, ability to hold moisture, appropriate pH, low nutrient content, free of weeds, pests and diseases)

factors affecting choice of container/sink, trough

planting methods and routine maintenance to include, trimming, mulching with grit, weeding winter protection

control of ONE relevant pest and ONE disease in this situation

Question 10

What to consider when choosing a pot

Answer 10

Type: natural material like natural stone (sandstone, limestone) (expensive) / troughs and sinks (e.g. and old glazed sink) can be coated in mixture of cement and peat-substitute (and sand?) to create a natural looking sink

Consider weight of container - light enough to be moved but heavy enough to avoid being blown over

Need to be broader rather than deeper

Needs plenty of drainage holes and potentially propped up on bricks

Question 11

How to plant an alpine container

Answer 11

Put a layer of course grit at the bottom of the pot

Use a free draining 1:1;1 mix of horticultural grit:sand: john innes 2 - fill the container leaving room to arrange the plants

Add in rocks!

Place plants in pots until happy with arrangement - plant sparsely need adequate space and aeration

Remove plants from pots carefully, tease out roots if necessary - ensure top of rootball level with the surface of the compost - firm in

After planting spread a layer of horticultural grit or gravel on the surface

Water in

Question 12

Routine maintenance of an alpine container

Answer 12

Weeding

Feeding - containers may need an annual top dressing of slow-release fertilisers

mulch with grit

containers will need water levels monitoring closely

Trimming

Will need repotting every few years in fresh soil to keep plants and their roots health

Move containers into lee of wall, raise containers onto bricjs to keep drainage holes clear