How to Plant a Trough
of Alpines
Alpines are plants
that naturally grow at high altitudes. They've adapted to survive
harsh conditions and extreme climates. You'll find that the term
has been expanded to include a wide range of low growing rock garden
plants. You will see true alpines with a dwarf habit being grown
in stone troughs and sinks. These provide the plants with ideal
growing conditions, and you can appreciate their qualities in a
miniature rock garden setting. Alpine troughs are great for gardeners
with little space or time. Choose the right plants and they'll require
little ongoing maintenance. You can also place alpine troughs at
a height to suit you, reducing the need to stoop.
What You Need:
Space for the trough; a sink or trough; stones or bricks to support
trough at each corner at suitable height; a piece of landscape fabric
(Plantex) or fine mesh netting; crocks - broken terracotta pots;
rocks to suit size of container - tufa is often seen in alpine troughs;
plants selected with similar growth rates; potting compost; horticultural
grit; coarse gravel or stone chippings to match rocks; watering
can with rose attachment. Optional: small pricking out tool or old
bladed knife; drill with 2.5 cm bit, if planting in tufa; slow release
fertiliser; an old washing up bowl.
.
Step 1
Position your trough. A sunny site suits most alpines. Avoid very
windy spots. Use bricks or stones to support it. Slightly tilt sinks
with a single drainage hole, using pieces of broken roof slates
or small slivers of stone. This will drain off excess water. Lay
the piece of landscape fabric over the bottom. Put in a layer of
crocks, or pieces to cover drainage holes. Add a 7 -10 cm layer
of coarse gravel or stone chippings. Optional: Drill holes in tufa
about 2.5 cm wide x 7 cm deep, and 10 cm apart if making more than
one. Soak tufa in water overnight before positioning in trough.
.
Step 2
Mix one third grit with two thirds volume of potting compost in
the old bowl or empty compost bag. Add slow-release fertiliser,
if using it. Partly fill the trough with this mix to a level that
suits the rocks you are using. Position the rocks, making niches
for your plants. Bury about a third to a half their height to ensure
stability.
Step 3
Continue to fill the trough with compost mix, levelling it around
the rocks. Add some smaller rocks or stones for a real rock garden
look. Use a plant to check compost height. Finish the compost about
5 cm below the top of the trough. This ensures space for watering
and a top layer of gravel. Water the container at this point and
leave to drain before you plant up.
Step 4
Set out plants in their pots on the compost. Check positions and
spacing - view from all angles before planting. Carefully dig small
holes of the right depth so that plants are planted at their original
level. Firm each one in and water well. Optional: Ease plants to
be planted in tufa out of their pots. Remove the bulk of the compost
around roots by washing in water. Gently place plants into planting
holes. Use a flat bladed knife or pricking out tool to put small
amounts of compost into the hole around the plant. Firm compost,
and put small pieces of rock around the plants.
Step 5
Water the trough, using the rose attachment on the watering can.
Add a 2.5 - 5 cm layer of coarse gravel or stone chippings to the
top of the compost.
Source: Greenfingers
