Penstemon hallii

 

This is a friendly, practical and down to earth presentation designed especially for those new to the alpine plant world. During the first half, slides are shown of alpines growing in the wild, in pots, either at Alpine Garden Society shows or my own plants, and finally, examples of how you can grow them in a variety of containers of your choice.

 

During this period I explain how alpines grow in their natural state, adapting to temperature and climatic changes and how we can grow many of these gems in our everyday gardens with the minimum of fuss. Advice is given on propagation, composts, what plants to use for a long season etc. We also discuss types of rock to use, limestone, tufa etc.

 

During the second part of the talk I demonstrate planting up a large pot, a small trough, or some other suitable container to show how anyone can do it in order to produce an attractive miniature garden that will give you pleasure for at least nine months of the year. Just look how nice a variety of trough shapes appear when placed next to one another. Whether you make your trough, acquire a real stone trough or buy one ready made makes no difference.

Here is an old fashioned real stone trough at Wisley.

Here is a small pottery dove brought back from holiday.

 

 

 

Or if you can get hold of a stone coffin at least 1500 years old it would look very nice planted up.