{"id":382,"date":"2015-03-11T19:07:58","date_gmt":"2015-03-11T19:07:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.farmyardnurseries.co.uk?page_id=382"},"modified":"2019-12-12T19:39:55","modified_gmt":"2019-12-12T19:39:55","slug":"alpines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.farmyardnurseries.co.uk\/alpines\/","title":{"rendered":"Alpines and rockery plants for the garden"},"content":{"rendered":"
Alpines and Rockery plants<\/h2>\n
You might ask yourself what is the difference?\u00a0 You may even wonder when a plant moves from an alpine to a shrub or herbaceous perennial \u2013 well we have the same problem. Again I\u2019m sure that there is a system that the purists use and a well laid down RHS principle.<\/p>\n
Here at the nursery we group alpines and rockery plants together and as a general rule of thumb if it is small and not particularly rampant it fits into this group. We offer a large range of alpine plants all grown on the nursery. These range from the popular and reliable to the more unusual and slightly more difficult.<\/p>\n
How to grow them<\/h3>\n
\u00a0Alpines<\/h4>\n
Technically, these\u00a0are\u00a0plants\u00a0that grow in an\u00a0alpine\u00a0climate, which \u2018occurs at high elevation and above the tree line\u2019. Most alpines are very hardy, so can cope with cold winters. However they don\u2019t like standing in wet soil – so the main thing to consider when growing them is drainage. \u00a0They must be planted in a compost or soil that is supplemented with the addition of sharp sand or grit. If you are very lucky you may have an area that is naturally free draining.<\/p>\n
They also usually need as much sun as possible. There are a few shade loving alpines but not many.<\/p>\n
Some rare ones may need winter protection and a sheet of glass can be placed over them. The ideal option for the rare and unusual is an alpine house where everything can be controlled. If you have never been to the alpine show house at RHS Wisley<\/a> it is worth a visit.<\/p>\n