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Browsed by
Category: Alpine Garden

Plants and how to develop an Alpine garden

Androsace Vitaliana primuliflora and it’s Other Names

Androsace Vitaliana primuliflora and it’s Other Names

How do flies smell? Not as nice as these flowers I be bound!

Fly on Vitaliana

This rock plant is a prostrate, evergreen perennial. The leaves are small, grey-green in appearance often enhanced by fine hairs. In spring  the scented, stemless flowers are buttercup-yellow which can smother the plant.

This fly found the scent on the open flowers much to his liking.

Naming The Plant

  • Androsace vitaliana, may now be the official name although I still call it Vitaliana primulifolia.
  • Historically it has been placed in various genera, including Androsace, Douglasia, Gregoria and Primula.
  • The prickly-appearing foliage is certainly reminiscent of a Douglasia, although the flowers are primula-like.
  • It is  a member of the primula family and was once known as the “Golden Primrose.”

Vitaliana primuliflora

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Ornithogalum Genus

Ornithogalum Genus

Ornithogalum AKA Star of Bethlehem

I have no photographs of my own for this bulb but will try some of these small flowers in my rockery for next year.
They should grow in shady postions so you will find a spot for them in most gardens.
Larger variety Magnum grows over 2 feet tall and flowers white with a green stripe.
Most Ornithogalums fail to grow above 12 inches tall including the orange Dubium (Sun Star) and the dwarf Umbellatum.

Ornithogalum-kochii_3
Ornithogalum kochii supplied by amadej2008 on flickr CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Kochi’s Star-of-Bethlehem
Slo.: Kochovo ptičje mleko
Dat.: May 11. 2010 Lat.: 46.30550 Long.: 13.48375

Habitat: Poorly cultivated grassland, under an old fruit tree, flat terrain, shallow soil, probably limestone bedrock, half dry and sunny place, exposed to direct precipitations, average precipitations ~ 3.000 mm/year, average temperature 8-10 deg C, elevations 330 m (1,100 feet), alpine phytogeographical region.

Ornithogalum
Ornithogalum by geekygirlnyc CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Other Tips on Ornithogalum
A member of the same family as Asparagus
Interesting genus of bulbous plants from southern Africa and Europe.
Easy to germinate from fresh seed – mine were obtained from the Alpine garden society.
See Pacific Bulb society for 44 species

Good Value Rockery Tips

Good Value Rockery Tips

Rawdon Alpine Rockery

Save Money on Your Rockery

  • Less is more so have fewer, quality plants that you maintain to high standards.
  • Scavenge rocks from tips and waste land. Don’t take them from walls or important natural habitats. Each rock will be like treasure trove with many memories attached.
  • Make your rockery small, very small or minute. you can get a rockery in a 12″ plant pot with small rocks squeezed in on their edges.
  • House leeks, Sedums and other succulents throw off new plantlets very easily and they bulk up quickly so you don’t need too many plants.
  • Pinch bits from around your own garden.
  • Beg cuttings or ‘off-sets’ from your family, friends or foes.

Rockery
See also Rock Gardens in Miniature

Alpine House at Harlow Carr

Alpine House at Harlow Carr

standing-stones

Outside the 2009 Alpine House at the RHS garden in Harrogate are these new ‘Standing Stones’. I am interested to see if the planting links the new building to the sculptures but some how I doubt it. Possibly they are meant to represent the Alps or just be the start of a new part of the garden.

2012 update shows the stones front the much improved vegetable plots.

The new building, opened in May 2009 for the first time.  Is a tour de force and shows what finance and labour has been put in by the RHS and particularly the local Alpine and Rock Garden Group.

Gypsophila aretiodes
Gypsophila aretiodes
Zaluzianskya ovata
Zaluzianskya ovata

alpine-s

A mixed selection in a 2 meter square raised frame-bed. The sort of thing I want to try in my own garden as it is raised to working height and helps the inspection of small plants.

Sternbergia lutea
Sternbergia lutea

2012 updates

Tufa walls and more mature sink planters are now paying dividends.
The plant displays always include a good selection of alpines in flower.  Crocus and cyclamen were in profusion during November but below are some that took my fancy.

Ranunculus calandrinioides
Ranunculus calandrinioides

Massonia pygmaea
Scented Massonia pygmaea

Why Grow Phlox divaricata ‘Clouds of Perfume’

Why Grow Phlox divaricata ‘Clouds of Perfume’

I have hopefully just bought a smelly plant for spring flowering in my rockery. Phlox divaricata ‘Clouds of Perfume’ is a woodland plant that also thrives in walls, borders or on banking. Versatile of what?

Wild Phlox

Facts about Phlox divaricata
It will grow 12″ tall and spread as a cushion 24″ wide.
This Phlox is semi evergreen and likes well drained soil.
It is also called wild phlox and grows as a weed in North America.
Other common names include Wild Sweet William, Louisiana Phlox, and Blue Phlox.
There are 67 species of annual and perennial Phlox according to wikipedia

Why I bought Phlox divaricata ‘Clouds of Perfume’
The flowers are powder blue, a cool shade I long to grow in my garden.
The bonus of a mass of flowers giving out a good scent was a second incentive.
Regular readers will know I am mean (I prefer to say thrifty) and I paid £1.50 for a large pot that was in an end of season sale. I have taken 6 rooted cuttings or divisions from the one plant and so I think I got a bargain.
Phlox Divaricata “Montrose Tricolor” Flowers at Rooftop Garden of Higashi-shinagawa Pump Facility
Other Varieties
Phlox divaricata’Blue Moon’, Phlox divaricata’Chattahoochee’is lavender coloured, and white varieties of Phlox divaricata include ‘Fuller’s White’ and ‘White Perfume’.
Phlox from Thompson & Morgan
Phlox Divaricata “Montrose Tricolor” above has variegated leaves and lilac-lavender coloured flowers.

Growing Hints
Pot grown plants should be watered well before planting.
Carefully remove from the pot and place in a prepared hole and firm the soil around the roots.
If the plant is pot bound tease out the roots or separate off some cuttings.
Water until the Phlox is established.

Phlox 'wagon wheels'
Phlox adsurgens ‘Wagon Wheels’ is another low growing perennial favourite of mine in the Polemoniaceae family.

Photo Credits
Wild Phlox by winged photography CC BY-NC 2.0
Phlox Divaricata “Montrose Tricolor” Flowers at Rooftop Garden of Higashi-shinagawa Pump Facility by ykanazawa1999 CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Ranunculus Calandrinioides and Other Buttercups

Ranunculus Calandrinioides and Other Buttercups

There are as many varieties of Ranunculus as there are buttercups in a meadow. Not surprising as a buttercup is a member of the Ranunculus family as is this Ranunculus calandrinioides.

What is Ranunculus Calandrinioides

  • This perennial plant is happy grown in containers or an alpine house.
  • Growing 8 inches tall and 6 inches wide.
  • In suitable climates some of the 200+ species can be useful as ground cover outdoors.
  • The roots are fleshy and thick and different species may be tubers or fiberous rooted.
  • The lance shaped leaves are bluish-green and upto 3 inches in length.
  • Flowers are cup shaped white or pink 2 inches wide.

Ranunculus

Growing Ranunculus Calandrinioides

  • Ranunculus Calandrinioides need full sunlight to reach their full potential with good flowering.
  • Moist soil that receives regular watering to a depth of 18 inch deep is favoured by most Ranunculus.
  • Soil should not be allowed to dry out.
  • Grown outdoors on the southern and western sides of buildings are favoured areas as they are usually are the sunniest.
  • Ranunculus calandrinioides should be easy to grow under cold glass in good soil or compost.
  • Winter growth may be lax due to low light levels that cause the plant to be drawn up.
  • Kept bone dry until mid winter it will stand freezing conditions
  • Watered in early autumn, after a summer rest it will grow well before Christmas.

Germination guide
Various Ranunculus from Thompson & Morgan
B&T Seeds say Ranunculus calandrinioides seeds will usually germinate in 30-90 days, even under good conditions germination may be erratic. Sow seeds about 2mm deep in a Well drained seed sowing mix at about 10°C.

Seeds will mostly germinate as the weather warms up in Spring, some may germinate during the Summer or Autumn but are more likely to stay dormant until the following Spring.

Photo credit
Grateful thanks to Robynejay for using CC BY-NC 2.0
Ranunculus by robynejay
Various Ranunculus from

Thompson & Morgan

Stokesia Laevis Aster Like Flowers

Stokesia Laevis Aster Like Flowers

Stokes’ aster is an unusual plant with large cornflower-like blooms on low growing plants, with rosettes of narrowly lance-shaped, dark-green leaves. It has a long flowering season, from mid-summer until the first severe frost in mid-autumn. The flowers are very good for cutting.
Stokes' Aster

Growing Conditions

  • An evergreen, Stokesia Laevis preferring acid soil, a sunny spot, and very good drainage. The roots may rot if plants are too wet in winter.
  • The long lasting flower heads are produced on plants 12-18 inches high with a similar spread.
  • The summer flowers are generally purplish/blue in a starry pattern and are ideal for cutting or attracting butterflies.
  • Stokesia laevis like good drainage, particularly in the winter, so a raised bed or rock garden may be worth trying.
  • Stokes’ Aster is a North American native wildflower with a double Shasta Daisy in effect.
  • Plants form a low mound of leathery green leaves, remaining evergreen in mild winter areas.

 

Selected Varieties

Stokesia Laevis Purple Parasols
Stokesia Laevis alba
Stokesia laevis ‘Blue Danube’ with 4 inch wide lavender flowerheads
Stokesia laevis ‘Wyoming’ has the darkest blue flowerheads of all
Stokesia laevis ‘Omega Skyrocket’ is a vigorous variety growing 3-4 ft tall and has long-stems of white to pale blue flower.

STOKESIA

Photo credits
Stokes’ Aster by BlueRidgeKitties CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 ‘These pretty flowers were planted at the Daniel Boone Native Gardens in Boone. They are native to North Carolina, but more at home in the coastal plains than in the mountains. They are commonly cultivated for garden use. If you have them in your yard, cutting the dying flowers before they set seeds will make the plants produce more flowers throughout the entire summer. ‘
STOKESIA by Swami Stream, CC BY 2.0
Stokes Aster by cmcgough CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Stokes Aster

Flash Colchicum speciosum or Autumn Crocus

Flash Colchicum speciosum or Autumn Crocus

Colchicum speciosum produce autumn crocus flowers before any leaves. These plants were grown in a pot for display at alpine garden shows and competitions.

Autumn crocus

Photo Tips with Flash and Without

  • This photo was taken without a flash on the camera whilst the photo below had auto flash.
  • The colours appear more saturated if you can hold the camera still enough to avoid using a flash. Flash can burn out detail.
  • If information is available such as the variety name keep a record – I forgot
  • If the plant is in a competition or you know the name of the owner give them a credit. (West Yorkshire AGS group autumn show again I forgot the entrants name).
  • Use a plain back ground – I borrowed someones green card but I may carry a grey sheet for future.
  • Take care with framing, the plants are not going to move. My third mistake compounded by not cropping the resulting photo.

Autumn crocus

Colchicum speciosum is native to mountainous areas of northern Turkey. Do not collect wild specimens but acquire from cultivated stock or grow your own from specialist seed suppliers.
Other names for Colchicum speciosum include “Naked ladies” and “Meadow Saffron”.
Growing Colchium as Alpine Pot Plants – Colchium have 6 stamen crocus only 3.
True autumn crocus

Good Value Alpine Garden Society

Good Value Alpine Garden Society

Euphorbia milii

Regular visitors will remember that I recently received a gift of membership too the AGS.

I continue to get good value for money via the magazines, free seeds and the local West Yorkshire Group meetings. A recent talk by Tony Gartwaite with photographs by Mike Ireland was called ‘show stoppers.’

This is an excuse to show some more of my pictures. Hover over pictures for info

Agave paryi

From the alpine house at Kew.

Primula allianii Joan Hughes

I have started a collection of various primulas after spotting this alpine variety Primula allianii Joan Hughes

Primula aureata nepal

Primula aureata nepal is a bit harder to grow in my greenhouse.

Hepatica nobilis Cobalt
See more about Hepaticas and how the Japanese grow these fascinating plants

Saxifraga kellever suendermannii

Regular local alpine shows are a good way to pick up tips.
The national shows move around the country so keep your eyes open or check with the AGS
Specialist nurseries also turn out at these shows and it is a chance to get some new stock.

Dionysia Background to the Plants

Dionysia Background to the Plants

Dionysia

Dionysus was the son of Zeus and the Greek god of fertility and wine.
The Greeks need all the help they can get at the moment. Lending one of their gods to the name of these small cushion plants is a form of reciprocation I suppose.

Dionysia monika

Dionysia Background to the Plants

  • The plant genus Dionysia has around 50 known species
  • Dionysia are found in the high mountains of Iran and Afganistan.
  • Dionysia species grow on limestone under overhanging rocks or in crevices.
  • Plants prefer to face south to encourage flowering.
  • Dionysia is in the family Primulaceae.

Dionysia

Study More Background on Dionysia

  • Dionysia curviflore tapetodes a species covered on Gardeners tips
  • There are lots of photographs on Dionysia 4 You
  • The Genus Dionysia, written by Chris Grey-Wilson and published by the Alpine garden society.
  • According to Kew ‘One way that alpine plants and Dionysia can cope with their harsh mountain environment is to form a low mound or cushion, hugging the stony ground or clinging to cliffs’
  • The Plant List details 66 scientific plant names of species rank for the genus Dionysia. Of these 54 are accepted species names by WCSP the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families.

Dionysia curviflora

Dionysia are not easy to grow well but the mass of flower is very rewarding if you get the conditions just right.

Dionysia curviflora x tapetodes
Dionysia curviflora x tapetodes by Kew on Flickr CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Dionysia curviflore tapetodes & other Dionysia