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Tag: alpines

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

Crocus corsicus or Corsican Crocus

Crocus corsicus or Corsican Crocus

Crocus corsicus

Collectors of Snowdrops are named Galanthophiles so should crocus lover be called Iridiaphiles. Perhaps there are already Iridiaphile clubs collecting the numerous Crocus species including the Corsican Crocus shown above. Wikipedia list 80 plus species.

Gardeners Tips for Corsican Crocus

  • I like the idea of growing crocus in pots in the alpine house so it is easier to inspect the blooms but they ‘go over’ quicker and the water control needs to be spot on. This pot is stood on an inverted pot to get more height on the bench.
  • Corsican crocus are best in a rockery not being robust enough to grow through grass.
  • A sandy well drained soil even in an exposed site should be fine.
  • Outdoors they go on flowering for longer than many spring crocus.
  • In early spring is a delight to see the striped buds poking up followed a few days later by the open buds showing a contrast of purples and lilacs plus the sepals, styles and anthers in orange and yellow. .

Read Crocus Tommasinianus and Crocus Planting Depth

Growing Ranuculus calandrinioides

Growing Ranuculus calandrinioides

Ranuculus calandrinioides

Ranuculus calandrinioides has an AGM, originates from the rocky slopes of the Atlas mountains, prefers dry shade, grows 8″ tall and has broad white-grey leaves.

This member of the buttercup family is dormant in summer.
It is easily grown under cold glass but give it as much light as possible. Outdoors keep it dry.
The lax growth will be kept more compact if grown hard and started late.
Keep bone dry until mid winter so growth does not commence above ground until early spring
Ranuculus calandrinioides has a thick fleshy rootstock and a lax growing habit.
Flowers form a large goblet shape in pure white or a delicate pink.

Note
Aestivate means the plant spends the summer in a state of torpor
Cotswold garden flowers has a good data base on Ranunclus
Seeds may be available from B&T world seeds.