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Great Plants For Spring Rock Gardens
March 2010 Features
Great Plants for spring rock gardens
Rock gardens became popular during the Victorian era and have been a feature of countless garden designs ever since. Traditionally they would have contained plants gathered from the mountainous regions of the world: that’s why they are called alpines. This means that they are pretty tough and well adapted to poor soil, cold weather and even drought.
These are often more compact varieties that have adapted to the thinner soil, harsher weathers and greater altitudes of the Alps and similar habitats.
Look out for a range of alpine plants from specialist nurseries and at the garden centre. Bulbs such as crocus, iris, dwarf narcissi and grape hyacinths will all be available in flower at the garden centre in pots. Buy them now and plant them into spaces within the rockery for instant effect. Feed them after flowering as the leaves die down and they will reflower year after year.
Perennials with a mat or compact low growing cushioned shaped growth are ideal for rock gardens. Look out for saxifrages such as the very pale pink flowered Saxifraga ‘Jenkinsiae’, varieties of sandwort such as the white flowered Arenaria montana, the rich pink flowered thrift – Armeria juniperifolia ‘Bevan’s Variety’, the alpine snowbell (Soldanella alpina) with frilly mauve pink flowers and the pure, rich blue flowered spring gentian (Gentiana verna).
Other plants that are easy to grow and create maximum impact include aubrietia and campanula species. These are low growing and often have a trailing habit making them a good choice to plant on the top of walls or in window boxes and hanging baskets.
Soil matters
Alpine plants demand good soil drainage mimicking the conditions that they would naturally grow in. If your soil is heavy clay or prone to waterlogging you can grow these delightful plants in pots, containers or troughs. It is essential to cover the bottom of the planter with a thick layer of well draining gravel. Plant into a loam based compost and mulch over the top of the compost with horticultural grit. Raise the planter up on pot feet or bricks to ensure good drainage. If very heavy rain or snow threatens some plants may benefit from a canopy over them to protect them from the worst of the weather, alternatively they could be moved in the shelter of a cold frame or greenhouse until the worst of the weather has passed. Some gardeners are so hooked on growing alpines that they have a greenhouse completely dedicated to them. Take a trip out to Kew Gardens or Wisley where you will find Alpine Houses with some of the most exquisite miniature plants you have ever seen. But be warned alpines are addictive and once you are hooked you may find you fill more than just a rockery with this delightful garden gems. For those who have the bug there is even an alpine garden society (www.alpinegardensociety.net).
About the Author
To know more about greenhouses and great plants for spring rock gardens visit http://www.growhouse-greenhouses.co.uk/greenhouses.php
Iris, Our Nigerian Dwarf Goat, Passes Placenta (Part 2)
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SERENDIPITY ELF~Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris (SDB)~Old rose and gold! $8.38 |
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SMOOTH~Dwarf Bearded Iris (SDB)~Deep red $4.99 |
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SPANISH ARMADA~Dwarf Bearded Iris~White & blue $4.50 |
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SPREE~Dwarf Bearded Iris~Purple bi-tone $5.20 |
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‘Betsy Boo’ – Dwarf Bearded Iris – Early Bloomer 12-14″ Tall $3.95 |
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STORMY CIRCLE~Dwarf Bearded Iris~Gathering storm $4.50 |
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STREET WALKER~Dwarf Bearded Iris~Veined orchid and grape with yellow orange bear $7.50 |
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SUMMONED SPIRIT~Dwarf Bearded Iris~Séance in the garden $4.75 |
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Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris~ RAINBOW RIM 1 rhizome from my garden $2.69 |
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Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris~ CHERRY CHILD 1 rhizome from my garden $2.69 |
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Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris~ BABY BOOM 1 rhizome from my garden LAST ONE $2.69 |
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TAX TIME~Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris (SDB)~Sweet fragrance! $4.75 |
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TICKETY BOO~Dwarf Bearded Iris~Cute as a bug’s ear $5.00 |
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Bloodstone Dwarf bearded iris, 1 rhizome $5.50 |
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TRAJECTORY~Dwarf Bearded Iris~Spicy fragrance $4.75 |
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DWARF ~BLESSED YELLOW IRIS~3 plants $6.00 |
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DWARF ~BLUEBEARDS GHOST IRIS~3 plants $7.50 |
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DWARF ~CORAL CARPET IRIS~3 plants $7.00 |
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DWARF ~SUGAR MAPLE IRIS~3 plants $7.00 |
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DWARF ~LITTLE EPISODE IRIS~3 plants $6.50 |
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DWARF IRIS_CAT’S EYE _3 plants $6.50 |
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DWARF ~TINGLE IRIS~3 plants $6.00 |
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Bearded Dwarf Iris~Cute!~4 plants~Yellow $5.00 |
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Miniature Dwarf Iris~Cute!~6 plants~Purple $6.00 |
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Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris – LADY IN RED – Puts on a Show $6.00 |
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Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris – LITTLE BLUE EYES – Reblooms $6.50 |
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Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris – MIKEY LIKES IT – Little Charmer $6.00 |
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Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris – WHAT AGAIN – Attention-Getter $6.00 |
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10 Dwarf Iris SHIPPING NOW! MIX OF ABOUT 5 COLORS! $5.00 |
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Orig Photo Dwarf Wild Iris flower 1955 $27.88 |
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YO YO~Dwarf Bearded Iris (SDB)~Midnight purple & lavend $4.50 |
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WINDROSE~Dwarf Bearded Iris~Pink w/ bright violet beard $4.50 |
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WIZARD’S RETURN~Dwarf Bearded Iris (SDB)~Reddish violet $4.75 |
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WIZARD OF HOPE~Dwarf Bearded Iris~rosy tan & violet $5.04 |
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YAT ROCK~Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris (SDB)~Pale lilac blue & pink $4.79 |
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ZAP~Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris (SDB)~Ruffled with a sweet fragrance!! $5.25 |
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VAVOOM~Dwarf Bearded Iris~Uranium grn & yellow $4.50 |
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WHYDIDI~Dwarf Bearded Iris~Pink, red purple $4.50 |
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Lilac Lulu Dwarf Bearded Iris, 1 rhizome $5.50 |
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Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris~ BOO! 1 rhizome from my garden $1.99 |
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Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris~ TANTARA 1 rhizome from my garden $1.99 |
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Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris~ GRAPESICLE 1 rhizome from my garden $0.99 |
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PIPPI LONGSTOCKINGS~Dwarf Bearded Iris~Lemon yellow Bur $5.25 |
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PLUM WINE~Dwarf Bearded Iris~Plum and red plum $4.79 |
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PIXIE~Dwarf Bearded Iris (SDB)~White and violet $4.50 |
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LITTLE FIRECRACKER~Dwarf Bearded Iris (SDB)~Bang!! $4.25 |
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CANTIQUE~Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris~Orange and brown. $4.25 |
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Bearded Dwarf Iris~Cute!~4 plants~Yellow $5.00 |
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DWARF ~SEA BLUE~ IRIS~3 plants $7.00 |
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Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris – CAT’S EYE – Dwarf Charmer $6.00 |
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Dwarf Irises and Cottage, 1993 by Timothy Easton – Mug – Standard Size $14.50 This mug is created using the finest dye sublimation techniques and creates a stunning dishwasher safe finish. Great as a gift, or for promotional items. Each of our mugs come individually boxed for protection in transit…. |
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Dwarf Irises and Cottage, 1993 by Timothy.. – 3×2 inch Fridge Magnet – large magnetic button – Magnet $4.99 Rectangular wrap-around refrigerator magnet and a glossy mylar cover.Large 2×3 inch rectangle fridge magnet or ‘buttons’ as they are sometimes known in the USA.Crop shown is automated for display purposes only. All magnets are hand finished and the best most appropriate crop will always be selected to best show the full image. Therefore, actual product may vary slightly from crop shown – this can … |
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Dwarf Irises and Cottage, 1993 by Timothy.. – Tea Towel 100% Cotton – Art247 – Tea Towel – 46x70cm $20.49 100% Cotton. Made in UK. Size 70cms X 46cmsThis is an automated preview only. Actual Tea Towel design may vary. All products are hand finished by our expert manufacturers and the best crop available will always be selected…. |
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Dwarf Irises and Cottage, 1993 by Timothy.. – Greeting Card (Pack of 2) – 7×5 inch – Art247 – Standard Size – Pack Of 2 $6.50 This photographic Greeting Card is created on 300gsm FSC approved card. The result – a stunning reproduction at an affordable price. Actual size 7×5 inch.Greeting card comes with high grade white envelope as standard.This is an automated preview only. Actual Greeting Card design may vary. All products are hand finished by our expert manufacturers and the best crop available will always be selected… |
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12 Iris Reticulata ‘Pixie’ Flower Bulbs 12 Dwarf Iris Reticulata ‘Pixie’ Flower Bulbs. · Use: Beds, rock gardens, in patio planters, and woodland gardens. The clear, beautiful colors of iris fit into any arrangement. Few pleasures compare to having an abundant supply of fresh flower for cutting and using around your home. Garden grown blooms are also easy gifts for neighbors, office buddies and that nice lady who feeds your dog on F… |