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Cycnich
| | Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 01:46 pm EST : |   
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Alpine plants can be grown in many situations as the following pictures show. They do have some basic requirements and if these are met then they will reward you for it. The first is good drainage (SOMETIMES ACUTE)in whatever situation you choose to grow them. Good light is a must but not scorching sun. Good ventilation and air movement at all times.True alpines are covered with snow for many months of the year and under this blanket they get a true winter dormancy and are kept dry and shielded from extreme temperatures. It is the snowmelt that spurs them into life when a great influx of nutrient rich water washes through them. In the high mountains there is always air movement and high light levels. To keep them in character you have to go some way to imitating this. I am not suggesting all Alpines are difficult but if you want to grow the rare and difficult ones then you need to meet their needs as far as you can. The pictures were taken at Wisley and show that there is a space for alpines in any garden no matter how small, you can easily get 20 species in a small trough.
Alpine house, notice the amount of opening vents at the sides and removable shading.
Opening vents in the roof
Fan for air movement in winter when the vents are closed during wind and rain.
General view, notice the sturdy benching, it needs to carry a lot of weight.
Mixed alpines
Pleiones
Alpines growing in tufa rubble.
Fritillarias
Outdoor crevice garden
Rock garden under glass.
Raised beds
Troughs
Tufa wall
Stone wall
Cycnich
- west sussex,
Zone "8"
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Dee_b
 Supporting Member
| | Posted on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 02:34 pm EST : |
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Great photos of the Wisley Alpine House and the surrounding area Pat. I popped in there whilst we were there for the Cyclamen Show. There's always something for everyone on display in there and the plants are always so beautifully grown, most of which I'm totally unfamiliar with.
I have to admit, alpines scare me...not the plants of course, I'm scared of not being able to grow them in the conditions they require, and losing plants due to my ignorance/lack of knowledge, can be disheartening and expensive.
Now we have this forum, I can ask the experts amongst us, how I can care for a particular species before I buy them.
Dee_b
- West Midlands,
Zone "7"
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Terryk
Supporting Member
My Weather
My Garden
My Time
| | Posted on Saturday, April 12, 2008 - 06:24 am EST : |
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Hi Pat-
I meant to post earlier but have been busy.
Thanks so much for this new forum. I quickly toured the Alpine House when I visited in February at the Cyclamen Show and I must have been in more of a rush then I realized. Your photos really do it justice.
Seems there is more in flower this time around, but then spring was just coming to the UK in early February when I was there. They rotate the pots in the Alpine house to feature what's in bloom at the moment if I am correct. I also read on another site about the construction of those beds and it made my back sore just to think of how much work goes into getting the sand compacted correctly.
Hopefully we'll have more folks posting here as it should be a very good forum.
I'm sure you know a person or two that could add to this forum, now you just have to get them to join in!
Terryk
- NY,
Zone "6"
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Galanthophile
Supporting Member
My Favorite Photo
My Garden
| | Posted on Saturday, April 12, 2008 - 09:25 am EST : |
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That is how alpines are meant to be grown - it looks a fantastic display! Thanks so much for posting these, something to admire if not aspire to.
Galanthophile
- Ann (Northern England),
Zone "8"
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Cycnich
| | Posted on Saturday, April 12, 2008 - 09:43 am EST : |
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Yes you are right, this is a display house and the plants are changed throughout the year to reflect what is in flower at the time. They are then returned to the alpine houses round the back as it were where the criteria is the same but the structures a little less expensive.
Cycnich
- west sussex,
Zone "8"
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Treelover
My Favorite Photo
My Garden
| | Posted on Friday, July 04, 2008 - 03:37 am EST : |
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Fabulous pics,would love to be able to emulate that!
Treelover
- County Durham,UK,
Zone "8/9"
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