We select plants for an alpine slide. We select plants for the rock garden. Tips and tricks Ornamental bush for an alpine slide

Plants and stones go well together, so it is worth highlighting a small corner for a rock garden in your garden. Some plants for an alpine slide, photos and their names, you will see in this article. Our selection will help you make the slide original and bright, it will the best decoration the entire site.

Making a slide with your own hands (photo and diagram)

First of all, you should make a marking of the contours of the future rock garden, remove weeds and sod. After that, inside these contours, you need to create a small depression in the ground and form the entire volume of the future rock garden. For this, not only large stones are used, but also crushed stone, construction waste, gravel. First, the largest stones are laid, then the small ones, they are covered with sand and soil.

When the soil layer settles, you need to fill all the depressions with the same soil, then additionally expand a 20-centimeter layer of earth, your plants will grow on it. After that, all the remaining decorative stones are laid.

The finished hill is watered, the whole structure costs two to three weeks, more is possible, all this time you need to actively weed out. After that, they select plants for the alpine slide, look at the photos, write out the names of the varieties they like and purchase them in specialized stores. All plants are planted either in spring or early autumn, usually September. Planting time depends on what time you manage to prepare the base for the rock garden.

Plant selection criteria for an alpine slide

Ornamental plants for the slide are selected according to certain rules, they are not difficult, you can master this simple science yourself. Above you see a photo - making an alpine slide with your own hands. The traditional classical approach provides for the presence of perennial plants on the hill, which grow wild in the highlands. These are undersized specimens with a small and compact bush, undemanding to soil and moisture. As a rule, these types are winter-hardy, they are resistant to gusts of wind. Examples include plants such as dryad, awl-leaved phlox, thyme (both creeping and common, as well as alpine shrimp. You will also see some flowers for the alpine slide later in the article).

Almost always on the slides there are stunted conifers, sometimes low deciduous ones, among which it is better to choose slowly growing varieties. Among the deciduous alpine slides, they look good:

• a low-growing variety of barberry, whose fruits and colorful bright leaves adorn the hill until late autumn;
• japanese low-growing quince;
• some varieties of cotoneaster.

Together with decorative stones they form the basis of the entire composition. However, recently on the alpine hill you can also meet annuals, which have a long flowering period, steppe herbs and bulbous. The latter really enliven the slides in spring and delight flower growers. These can be crocuses, snowdrops and lilies of the valley, ornamental onions and daffodils, undersized varieties tulips and cyclamens.

The most popular flowers for the alpine slide

We bring to your attention some names and photos of popular plants for an alpine slide (flowers are perennials).

Iberis

Iberis looks very good on the top of the hill, there are varieties that do not grow more than 10 centimeters in height. The plant blooms profusely in snow-white clumps in late spring or early summer.

Edelweiss

The famous mountain flower, sung in literature, grows wild on depleted rock soils. Such a plant on an alpine hill is the pride of a florist, especially since it is listed in the Red Book. However, it is quite possible to grow this flower independently from ordinary seeds, and then propagate it in the usual way (seedlings).

Edelweiss is sun-loving and does not tolerate shading, since in the wild these plants grow on mountain tops. For better growth exotic flower you need to make a special depleted soil mixture with fine-grained sand and small pebbles.

So, choosing perennial flowers for an alpine slide, you cannot ignore this beautiful specimen, which, moreover, can grow in one place for up to 20 years.

Rejuvenated (stone rose)

This plant looks like rosettes, which are composed of fleshy thick leaves of all sizes and shapes. Different varieties differ in their colors. There are many types and varieties among perennial flowers for an alpine slide, rosettes are burgundy and silvery green, you can choose several different specimens at once. An unpretentious plant can adapt to any living conditions and take the most inconvenient place, including the gaps between stones, which is ideal for an alpine slide.

Armeria seaside

This plant is not afraid of either cold or drought, but does not like waterlogging. Small bushes, can release ten peduncles at once, which have spherical inflorescences. Armeria is still good because it blooms for a very long time, practically all summer, but we must not forget to remove old inflorescences, otherwise it will wither.

Carnation

Perennial carnations are very good on an alpine slide, by the way, in the wild, they grow well in the mountains. This is probably why carnations are the most popular of all perennial flowers for an alpine slide. There are many suitable varieties, for example, herb, short-stemmed carnation, gray, as well as the grayish-blue, which you go in the photo above. Carnations bloom with bright flowers throughout the summer season, and they also exude a pleasant spicy aroma.

Conifers - the basis of an alpine slide

First of all, I would like to highlight the most spectacular plantsfor example, there is a dwarf variety of Norwegian spruce, it even grows in pots, and this is a real gem on an alpine slide. The weeping fir is also surprisingly beautiful, it is dark green with a yellow tint, and the long branches bend down to the ground.

When creating an alpine slide, they often make a mistake: they simply use cut trees of traditional tall conifers. If you carefully consider the photo on the design of an alpine slide with your own hands, then you will notice that there are only varieties dwarf plants... All plants that are supposed to be large in the wild will try to become large.

Here are some types and varieties of dwarf conifers:

1. Nevaki is a Japanese pine, which belongs to real bonsai, naturally dwarf. One of the varieties is pictured above. If trimmed, it will take any shape.
2. Nana Pine, very fluffy, dark green in color.
3. Pine Panderoza, also very fluffy with huge needles, grows even without shelter, although it comes from warm places.
4. Velda is a creeping pine tree, shoots grow only horizontally. She needs to be cut, otherwise she will take three meters in a circle.

We must not forget about creeping varieties, they are irreplaceable on the alpine slides.

So, if you want to create a truly spectacular slide, then look at the photo of the flowers for the alpine slide, remember the names of the plants that you like and go ahead! You can create an alpine slide with your own hands without serious financial or time spending, and it will not take much space. The very process of creating it is very interesting, and the result exceeds all the wildest expectations.

What plants are needed for an alpine slide - video

Currently, alpine slides have become increasingly popular. A wide selection of various types of plants is presented to the choice of buyers. You can create such an art object by yourself or by ordering it from a company that deals with landscape design.

What plants are suitable for an alpine slide?

You need to select plants for a rock garden guided by your own taste and imagination, but taking into account the general style and location on the site.

There are several basic rules that need to be followed:

1. It is imperative to consider aspects such as:
   • Climate;
   • Soil type;
   • Humidity of soil and air.
2. Initially, you need to draw up a diagram and carefully consider the location of each type of plant. Lighting is an important aspect. Plants may not tolerate bright sun or shade;
3. Another fact that will play a significant role is the size of the plants. It should be calculated according to the size of the rock garden;
4. It is important to remember that alpine slides are not made up of plants alone. They should not only be "diluted" with stones of various kinds and sizes, but it is also possible to equip a waterfall, a pond, etc .;
5. It is impossible to "overdo it" with the number of flowers, since an incorrectly calculated number of plants can lead to the fact that one species can crowd out the rest if it grows too wide.

Brighter specimens are given more attention. They should be planted more apart.

• Mini ate;
• Fir;
• Pines;
• Juniper;
• Larch;
• Mini-sized trees and shrubs;
• Other types of ground cover plants and perennials.

List of plants for the alpine slide

List of plants for correct device alpine slides can be composed as follows:

1. Perennials;
2. Conifers;
3. Evergreen;
4. Shade-tolerant;
5. Creeping;
6. Creeping;
7. Groundcover.

Among perennial plants, there are several main and most popular species:

1. Flowers:
2. Obrienta hybrid;
3. Alpine edelweiss;
4. Phlox subulate, etc.
5. Bulbous flowers:
   • Late tulip;
6. Corydalis;
7. Hyacinth;
8. Colchicum, etc.

Of the coniferous specimens, they are most often used:

1. Dwarf conifers:
2. Black pine "Nana";
3. Canadian spruce "Conica";
4. Dwarf coniferous shrubs:
5. Juniper horizontal "Blue Chip";
6. Juniper horizontal "Golden Carper";
7. Juniper Chinese “Expansa Variegata;
8. Thuja western "Danica", etc.

Among evergreens, the most popular are:

• Saxifrage of apiculate, etc.

When choosing shade-tolerant specimens, you should pay attention to:

Among creeping and creeping plants, it is better to give preference to:

• Thyme false-haired;
• Lemongrassy thyme, etc.

The most popular ground covers are:

• Ayuga.

Plants for an alpine slide, photos and names

Perennials:

1. Plants for an alpine slide

   

   

   

   

   

2. Conifers:

   

   

   

   

3. Evergreens:
   

   

   

4. Shade-tolerant:
   

   

   

   

   

   

5. Creeping and creeping:
   

   

   

6. Groundcover:
   

   

   

   

Flowers for an alpine slide, names and photos

Plants prices for alpine slides

To find out exactly what the final cost of the alpine slide device will be, you need:

• Draw up a project including the size of the rock garden and the exact name and number of plants. Such a project can be ordered by professionals. It will cost you an average of 1000 rubles. If you decide to do 3D visualization, then you will have to pay an additional 1500 rubles or more. In addition, here you need to add the cost of a specialist's visit to the object - from 250 rubles for each km and 300 rubles for measuring each hundred square meters;
• Prepare the site. By doing it yourself, you can save money, but the workers will charge you from 300 rubles for each remote stump, 100 rubles for 1 square meter;
• Make the slide itself. The company charges an average of 2,500 rubles per square meter, and when planting coniferous or deciduous trees, you will have to pay about 20% of the cost of each.
• If there is a reservoir, then for its design you will have to pay 250 rubles or more for each square, and its device will cost about 2,500 rubles per square meter.

Location on country house or dacha alpine slide looks like a stone paradise. It stands out against the background of the general landscape design and pleases with bright shades and texture of colors. There is an opinion that an alpine slide is created only by designers and cannot be done by yourself.

In practice, this is nonsense. You look in advance for information about the composition of the soil, the shape of the stones and other details. Stock up on the right ingredients and make a list of plants that you want to see on your site. And as planned, you begin to plant them on an alpine hill. Consider the climatic nuances and characteristics of each type of plant.

What plants are suitable for an alpine slide, photos and names can be seen below. If this is not enough, take a look at the forums of gardeners, landscape designers, sites about plants. The desired option will be found quickly.

To create an alpine slide, choose plants that are not very tall. They will not only be easy to care for. They will not obscure each other's light. Designers divide low-growing plants into several subgroups. The plants in them are similar in the principle of care and in some features. appearance.

They got their name due to their ability to grow very quickly and take up area. If you do not follow this, carpet flowers will quickly take up the entire free area. Mostly they are simply cropped so that they do not grow. In this case, the shoots are not completely removed. The job is like mowing a lawn.

Pay close attention to plants that reproduce by tendrils and root systems. When plants with antennae ( , alpine strawberries, and others), have grown too much, the extra antennae are completely removed from the parent specimen.

And yet plants with antennae are not as harmful as those that reproduce by the root system (St. John's wort, yarrow (tree), alpine lianca). The roots grow unnoticed for you underground, and after a while this type of plant will occupy the entire rock garden. It will be possible to get rid of it only with the help of a complete re-equipment of the alpine slide or thorough weeding of the earth.

Care for carpet plants should be done with care. For example, where plants with a root type of growth grow, you need to be careful not to damage the plant. Do not plant saxifrage and sedum near carpet, bulbous plants.

The bottom line is that in the process of life, they stand out harmful substances and toxic decay products of useful substances. The soil next to them becomes unsuitable for the growth of other plants. At the same time, saxifrages and sedums do well in these conditions.

Different types of carpet plants rarely coexist near each other. Some gardeners are confident that they will merge into a beautiful spot and, with an emphasis on this, are planning an alpine slide. In practice, carpet plant species grow poorly together and compete in every possible way for every patch of soil.

Choose plant species that won't bloom at the same time. It is easier to combine different varieties with each other and , your rock garden will be bright throughout the warm season.

Tuberous and bulbous plant species

They are wonderful because they bloom in spring and autumn. Choose plant species that will bloom at different times. For example, crocus "Kogi" and crocus "Beautiful" will delight you with their colors in autumn. Common crocuses, tulips, daffodils bloom in spring.

It is better to combine plants with bulbs with carpet plants. But, plant them away from each other. As mentioned above, some carpet plants release substances into the soil that are detrimental to bulbous flowers.

When planting plants, consider the needs of each species and select best options... On an alpine slide, bulbous plants should never be covered with plastic. Every year the bulb sprouts in different places and it is difficult to guess where it will go this time. In addition, the bulbs can rot from the created greenhouse effect.

One of the most beautiful views plants for the alpine slide. There are dozens of them. The interest is that the flowers are beautiful, perfectly tolerate the neighborhood and reproduce well vegetatively. At the same time, these flowers are demanding to care for and have different period flowering.

For an alpine slide, choose types of flowers that will bloom for a long time. For example, a variety such as Molodilo will die immediately after it fades. These plants are beautiful, but a lot of work with them. Each time, the dead elements will need to be replaced with new plants.

How to choose a variety, what are the plants for an alpine slide, photos and names, we will consider, sorting into groups below.

How to choose a plant variety for a rock garden?

Dozens of different plants can fit into your alpine slide and grow actively there. Think in advance how much time you are willing to devote to caring for a stone garden? Already, based on this data, you can begin to select options. Plants can be annual or perennial.

In the first case, you will need to plant or sow flowers every spring, wait for them to grow, devote time to them. Sometimes, because of the time spent, you don't want a beautiful garden either. Perennials are easier in this case. They were planted once and the plants grow up to 7 years in one place. You will need to feed them, weed out the weeds, and watch the watering.

Perennial plants on the site

Many landscape designers tend to believe that the garden should be natural. Plants are selected that are similar to those types of flowers that grow in nature. They naturally cover the slide and give it a well-groomed look. In addition to these varieties of flowers, there are dozens of beautiful , and they will also fit into the alpine slide. You don't have to follow the advice of renowned landscape designers to create a beautiful garden.

Plants for one year

Annual flowers thrive among stones. They need other conditions for development and life. When choosing flowers for one year, sort them according to the color of the shoots and inflorescences, according to the height of the plants. With these colors, you can create whole compositions. Lobularia and alyssum look interesting on an alpine slide. Generally, annual plants Suitable for you if you want a new type of alpine slide every year.

When creating an alpine slide, a special film or plastic containers are used. When the plant does not scatter underground shoots, it is planted in plastic, cutting small holes for each unit. Thus, bulbous and rosette plants can be planted. Sometimes ivy is planted like this conifers, phlox.

Rooted flowers usually grow strongly and throughout the area. Here they act cunningly: a crosswise cut is made in the film, a plastic container is inserted into it, which has no bottom, and flowers are planted into it. Thus, the plant cannot spread further than its capacity will allow, but it receives enough nutrients.

It is easier not to take a container with a bottom. The plant will grow in pots with a bottom, but there will be no such contact with the ground. You will have to water the flowers more often than usual. This is not always possible, because you can be away from home for several days or weeks.

When planning an alpine slide, select plants and planting schemes in such a way that you can live freely and preserve the beauty of your garden.

Types of plants and flowers for an alpine slide

What are the plants for an alpine slide, photos and names will be in this section. Additionally, you can find the necessary information on the forums of flower lovers and summer residents. Find the best options for your stone garden.

A small plant that grows as a cover. They can perfectly cover bare areas in an alpine slide. The plant blooms in purple, blue or white. The scent of this rug spreads throughout the garden. The interest lies in the fact that you can make delicious tea with a pleasant aroma from thyme.

In the last century, this plant was harvested for the winter and consumed as hot drinks. Those who took this tea had less flu and ARVI. Thyme blooms in summer and until autumn. It is unpretentious, as in the natural conditions of nature it grows in forests at the edge, in fields, in meadows. The difference between the soil of such areas is colossal. Thyme almost does not need fertilization.

Another plant that grows with a rug. There are folk songs about these flowers. It blooms in blue and creates a dense carpet. Its green leaves with a matte sheen and small flowers of blue color... This plant grows and blooms equally well, both in the sun and in the shade.

Will close everything empty spaces between the main plants. It will delight with its color from late spring to early autumn. If the autumn is warm, then you can see the periwinkle flowers in early October.

Perennial plant, adapted to the domestic climate. It survives frost perfectly. About 12 species of this flower are used in landscape design. The most popular varieties are Armeria turfy, Siberian, prickly and others.

The plant can be planted in small groups. With its help, not only rock gardens are created, but also stone gardens, beautiful flower beds... Armeria gets along well with plants that form a carpet or crawl. It can be planted next to thyme, ivy, creeping violet, quarries and others of this species. Armetria blooms almost all season, which is convenient for creating an alpine slide.

It is also called wolfberry. The plant has a lush crown, blooms profusely, and grows low. There are about 10 species of this flower. They differ in the shade of the inflorescences, the shape and size of the crown, the period of color. The wolfberry smells good and can be a great addition to an alpine slide.

In addition, wolfberry is grown in tubs and pots, which are in greenhouses. It can easily grow in a flower bed or on a lawn. It is worth remembering that the juice and berries of this plant are poisonous. It should be kept away from children who are always overly curious.

The plant can grow in a solid carpet, in small groups, looks great in a set with other plants. The gentian tolerates the Russian winter well. It blooms in spring with a deep blue color. Landscape enthusiasts have come to love this plant for its long period of color and ease of care.

The gentian can easily grow in places where there is not much sun. To create alpine slides, spring gentian or stemless gentian is most often chosen. There is a demand for hybrids of these varieties.

This type of plant can save any alpine slide. Flowers grow on any soil, up to stones. They cover the most ugly, bumpy areas on the site where other flowers simply will not survive. They can grow, both with a rug and in small groups.

Each plant has a separate rosette and small, dense leaves. Saxifrage blooms in spring. Its flowers can be pink, blue or golden. Muscari, sedums, dwarf irises and other plants that do not give much shade can be neighbors of this flower.

Interesting plant for alpine slides and decoration garden paths... The flower is tenacious, it survives frost well, adverse conditions. If you step on him, he will get nothing. Cat paws are planted in places of high traffic, for decoration rocky areasplanted between the slabs.

The plant grows short, only 10 centimeters long. But it grows in width to 45 centimeters. Cat legs bloom in spring, with delicate small flowers.

It blooms almost as soon as the snow melted. This plant will be the first to delight your eyes in spring. The flower is not afraid of frost, it is almost not damaged by pests and does not get sick. Plant care is simple, it is enough to water regularly and get rid of weeds in time.

The Alpine slide will look bright and juicy. In addition, the Corydalis is tall. Bees will be frequent guests in your garden. The Corydalis is grown for the reason that it reproduces itself and is easy to grow.

The plant has another name - Cyclamen. It actively grows in composition with other flowers on an alpine hill. The plant will feel comfortable among bushes, stones and tall flowers. Dryak does not freeze in winter, is not afraid to grow in the shade. All you need to care for her is watering and weeding regularly.

Grows well next to crocuses, crocuses, snowdrops and other bulbs and flowers.

Viola or violet for an alpine slide photo

Grows in small bushes. Each of them has a height of about 22 centimeters, the diameter of the bush is 5-10 centimeters. The flowering period of this plant stretches over the entire season. You will admire the violet from May to September.

In care, the plant is not whimsical, it loves a bright area, but without the scorching sun. Watering the plant is on schedule. The violet does not tolerate very wet soil and rots. There are about 8 types of violets for an alpine slide. You can plant one species or combine several varieties.

Plan the alpine slide first on paper, select the elements and varieties of plants. Imagine a ready-made garden plot... How should it look? What flowers do you want to see on it? Try to keep the garden blooming all season.

At the same time, plant care doesn't have to be difficult. To spend a lot of time working in the garden, today not everyone can afford. Once you understand what your site will be like, it will be easier to pick up plants. You can buy the necessary seedlings, seeds and cuttings at any flower shop in your city.

Alpine slide video

The rocky composition, symbolizing a mountain peak, adorned with spectacular flowering plants, has a special decorative appeal. This type of flower garden serves not only as a decoration of a personal or summer cottage, but also gives everything landscape design special personality, sophistication and naturalness. And if during the construction of a rock garden certain knowledge in the field of design and construction was required from you, then when choosing plants for an alpine slide, try to show a sense of style and artistic taste. Knowledge in the field of floriculture will also be needed, because the choice must be made from plants that are characteristic precisely for the subalpine and alpine belts, as well as from plants adapted to development in rocky and stony rocks.

Considering one more important feature - the layering of planting green spaces, the publication proposed not only the names of plants for the alpine slide, but also given short description most suitable species and varieties. In addition, the features of planting and caring for a flower garden throughout the season are considered.

The defining feature of this type of flower garden is not only in the presence of large stones and the recreation of the mountain composition, but also in the fact that it consists of mixed types of green spaces and is created for a long period. And if, in the case of a not entirely successful choice, of any species of flowering perennials, it can be replaced without any special problems, then the selection of woody, coniferous and shrub species must be approached especially thoughtfully and carefully. Searching for ready-made solutions on the Internet is ineffective, despite the abundance of colorful photographs of attractive alpine slides. When creating an artistic composition, it is important to take into account a number of factors that are characteristic only of your flower garden - climatic conditions of the area, illumination, size and location of stones, number of tiers, etc.

1. sizes of selected views. The size of the rock garden and green spaces should be in proportion to harmonize with each other, pay attention to compact and stunted species;
2. quantity and colors. Do not get carried away by the number of planted species and the variety of flowers, try to preserve natural naturalness and attractiveness. To avoid unnecessary variegation, carefully experiment with a combination of colors;
3. need for care. Considering certain inconveniences of flower garden maintenance (height, hard to reach places), it is advisable to choose the types of green spaces that are undemanding in care;
4. conformity climatic conditions... It is recommended to choose from those flowering plants that are most adapted to the given terrain conditions;
5. flowering period. The difference between the periods of the beginning and end of flowering will provide your flower garden with attractiveness and originality throughout the season;
6. livability. Groups of different plants planted in close proximity should not suppress each other, but fully grow and develop;
7. layering of landing. The most attractive are flower beds equipped in three tiers. Plants for the uppermost are selected sun-loving and do not require frequent watering, perennials and bulbs are suitable for the lower tiers, which need regular watering, but are not so demanding on lighting;
8. strengthening the soil. In order to prevent the erosion of slopes, plants are planted on them, covering the soil, with a highly developed root system.

Perennial plants for the alpine slide

The fundamental selection criteria are short stature, compactness, undemanding care and a long flowering period. Let us consider in more detail the types of perennials that have the necessary qualities, depending on the tier of planting. On the highest plane, it is desirable to arrange low and unpretentious plants blooming from June to late autumn. It should be borne in mind that the soil dries out faster in high areas, so the flowers should be fairly drought-resistant.
The most common plants for the perennial alpine slide:

Iberis

Mountain Representative Southern Europe prefers a well-lit place, rocky and sandy soil... In rock gardens, the Crimean, evergreen, Gibraltarian and rocky species are more common.It is a low-growing (15-30 cm) shrub plant with pink or white (depending on the type) inflorescences. The flowering period begins in spring, looks especially impressive in group plantings;

Perennial carnation

It belongs to perennial grasses and semi-shrubs, with leaves of a linear or linear-lanceolate shape and single delicate flowers of various colors. Ornamental species are distinguished by their unpretentiousness to the quality of the soil (except acidic) and the frequency of watering, they prefer good illumination. It is recommended to plant in the upper tiers;

Thyme

Better known as thyme, its pink or purple buds have a pleasant spicy aroma. Creeping thyme can decorate the upper tier (height up to 15 cm), while ordinary thyme (height up to 40 cm) is best placed in the middle of the rock garden. Both species are quite unpretentious and do not need additional feeding. More often propagated by dividing an adult bush into separate parts, less often by cuttings and seeds;

Rejuvenated

In its natural environment, it is distributed in mountainous and rocky areas. The plant won the love of domestic flower growers due to its special decorative attractiveness and the ability to grow in almost any conditions. The common name "stone rose" fully corresponds to the ability of the plant to develop successfully on the rocky surface of an alpine hill. Ideal for planting in middle and lower tiers, does not require maintenance;

Saxifrage paniculata

A graceful, low (10-15 cm) plant that grows ideally in crevices of a rocky surface. Blooms in small but attractive paniculate inflorescences of purple or pale yellow color. Differs in excellent winter hardiness, undemanding care and decorative qualities. It is recommended to plant directly at the foot of the stones or in the crevices between them;

Alpine edelweiss

A real native of the subalpine and alpine zones. It is a herbaceous plant with a height of 10-20 cm. Perhaps the most common plant for an alpine slide, which in its qualities fully corresponds to this type of flower garden - attractive, undemanding and beautifully blooming. Inflorescences of white or yellow color form several small baskets, the flowering period begins in the second half of May.

Plants for an alpine slide with a long flowering period

By choosing plants for the alpine slide that bloom all summer, you ensure the attractiveness of the flower garden throughout the season. Abundance of representatives decorative species perennials and annuals of various heights, can successfully solve this problem. Ground cover creeping green spaces are used to create a flowering background. Here is a list of flowering plants with the longest flowering period:

Arenaria

A low-growing plant from the clove family. Domestic florists are better known as "gerbil". Low stems (10-15 cm), growing, form a solid green carpet. More often, large-flowered, crimson and mountain gerbils are planted. All species are characterized by abundant and long flowering. Well-drained soil with added sand is preferable;

Rhodiola

Amateurs often plant Rhodiola rosea - a perennial bushy unpretentious plant up to 40 cm high, with a well-developed root system. Small flowers yellow color form a corymbose inflorescence, flowering period June-July. In addition to its attractive appearance, it is valued for its medicinal properties;

Marigold

Depending on, there are annual and perennial varieties. In flower beds, low-growing annuals are often planted, blooming before the first frost. They are characterized by general undemanding care, they develop well in open areas and in partial shade. It can be planted both in separate groups and in composition with other representatives of the flower garden;

Balkan geranium

Planted along the perimeter of the stones, growing, forms continuous low thickets, emphasizing the originality of the rock garden. Red or purple flowers appear in June and usually last for a month. Prefers well-lit areas, can grow in partial shade, but in this case the flowering period is reduced;

Thrift

Armeria soddy

Herbaceous low perennial, in rock gardens amateurs often plant Alpine or turfy armeria. When favorable conditions are created, separately planted Armeria bushes form a continuous flowering cushion up to 15 cm high. The flowering period extends to two months;

Echinacea purpurea

Quite high (80-100 cm) herbaceous plant, characterized by unpretentiousness, decorative qualities and a long (up to 2 months) flowering period. It is planted at the foot of stones in small groups. Well adapted to frosty winters and undemanding to care for. Thanks to healing properties, Echinacea flowers are widely used in traditional and folk medicine.

Conifers and shrubs for rock garden

Conifers for the alpine slide "Colorado spruce Procumbens"

Conifers for an alpine slide, like shrub species, are a must, but not the main element of a flower garden. They play the role of a kind of scenery, creating signs of the naturalness of the mountain landscape, so there should not be many of them (maximum 2-3 species). The main qualities that you need to pay attention to when choosing are short stature, unpretentiousness and compliance of the appearance of the plant with the general idea of \u200b\u200bcreating a composition.

As a rule, when creating alpine slides, they planted:

1. juniper. In natural conditions, it prefers well-lit mountain plains. When choosing, give preference to undersized, dwarf juniper species: Golden Carpet, Blue Carpet, Blue Chip. Low evergreen stands are especially decorative and attractive throughout the year, they are undemanding to the composition of the soil and do not need special care;
2. decorative spruce. Pay attention to the undersized (height of an adult tree up to 1 m, diameter 1.5 m) Sizuya (Canadian) "Ehiniformis" spherical spruce. Differs in decorativeness and especially slow growth;
3. mountain pine. In rock gardens, you can often find mountain pine Pumilio - a compact dwarf shrub of elfin trees. It is not demanding on the composition of the soil, but good drainage is necessary;
4. the cotoneaster is horizontal. Not a thorny shrub, often planted at the foot of stones or to form slopes. Distinctive characteristics - unpretentiousness, frost resistance, ease of care;
5. boyd's willow. It is a slow-growing small tree with a curved trunk and small rounded leaves. Looks especially attractive in composition with flowering ground cover or creeping conifers;
6. boxwood barberry (evergreen) Nana. The height of the evergreen dwarf shrub is up to 50 cm, the diameter of the dense, rounded crown is up to 80 cm. It is planted as an addition to the formed groups or as an accent plant above the creeping juniper. It lends itself well to formative pruning, drought-resistant and frost-resistant.

The publication presents the most common types and varieties of green spaces when creating alpine slides, but you can always supplement this list with something of your own, individual. We hope that the material will be useful when creating an original decorative composition of stones, shrubs, conifers and flowering plants.

August 2005

_______________________________________________________________________________

As a teenager, I often went with my parents on small hikes to Losiny Ostrov. There for the first time I saw Daphne - very attractive plant... But my mother strictly warned me to stay away from Daphne, because it is deadly poisonous. Over the years, that fear of the flower was forgotten, but the admiration for her beauty remained. Now the Daphne live in my garden.

While walking through the unblown spring forest, you must have met a flower flashing in a pink dress. This is the deadly wolfberry (Daphne mesereum). The scent of her perfume is irresistibly attractive. Not only for us - all awakened flies seek to enjoy it. However, it is better not to touch the wolfberry: all parts of its "body" are deadly poisonous. And let its ripe bright red berries beckon you in August, don't be tempted!

And if now we get out of the forest and go to the steppe a little south of Moscow. Here and now, in several protected corners, you can meet the sister of the forest enchantress, Daphne juliae. She is petite, and her "sundress" is bright pink. There is one more difference from her sister: she does not shed leaves for the winter. This daphne is found not only in our Don steppes, but also in other regions of Europe, where it is called Daphne cneorum.

Another daphne was named Caucasian (Daphne caucasica) - in honor of the mountains in which she lives. It is modest, but not devoid of charm: its stems lie down, the leaves are dark and glossy, the flowers are large, milky white, exuding the same recognizable aroma!

A close relative of Caucasian Daphne is Daphne glomerata. She looks like her sister, only there are more flowers in her inflorescence (it looks like a ball), and the plant itself is squat.

In some places in the Caucasus, you can find Circassian Daphne (Daphne circassica) - miniature, graceful, abundantly bushy, living on old limestone talus. In the middle of summer, it is covered with large bright pink flowers that exude a strong but pleasant aroma.

Daphne baksanica, listed in the Red Book of Russia, lives at the foot of the majestic Elbrus, and some limestone regions are home to Daphne pseudosericea.

If we climb into the Altai mountains, we will see Altai Daphne (Daphne altaica), stately, blooming with white flowers. Once it was found in some areas of the European part of Russia, however, botanists singled out European plants as a separate species, calling it Olga's daphne. And having arrived to the very edge of our country, to Kamchatka, we will be able to admire the Daphne kamtschatica, not high, with pale yellow flowers.

Daphne is found in Europe and Asian countries. Europeans, long captivated by the beauty of this plant, lovingly create hybrids and varieties, looking for white-flowered, variegated and white-bordered forms. Daphne genkwa, originally from China, looks amazing, with elongated lilac flowers that completely cover the branches of rather tall bushes. Beautiful Daphne collina, which looks like our Daphne Julia. And Daphne petraea from the mountains of northern Italy is a graceful creeping dwarf that loves limestone.

Daphne is a low, deciduous or evergreen shrub with oval whole-edged leaves that bloom profusely on last year's shoots with fragrant sessile flowers and fruiting colorful berries. The fruit is a juicy drupe, red, yellow or almost black. All parts of plants are poisonous!

Unfortunately, it is still very difficult to find Daphne on sale. Only occasionally are relatively large-flowered varieties of the deadly wolfberry offered, and sometimes poachers trade in plants barbarously dug up in nature. However, you should not follow their example, much less encourage their activities with a purchase. Moreover, daphne hardly tolerate the transplant during the growing season. The roots of most species go deep into the soil and are severely damaged during digging. Such plants will almost certainly die (especially those dried during transportation and storage).

What to do? Seek planting material from collectors who know how to handle delicate divine creatures.

If you are still lucky to buy a daphne, be sure to create for her the necessary conditions... If it is a forest species, plant it in partial shade, if it is steppe or mountainous, in an open place. Drainage will not be required unless for a deadly wolfberry, for other types of closure is harmful. However, the drying out of the entire root ball is detrimental, especially for ever-and winter-green species.

The optimal place for most daphne is an alpine slide with good drainage. Provide them with fertile, loose soil. You can plant daphne in the crevices between the stones. Limestone should be preferred, but for the Caucasian species and Julia's wolfberry, it is simply a must. In summer drought, plants will need evening watering.

In the culture of daphne, if you create suitable conditions for them, they grow long and successfully. Some species even re-bloom in autumn, although less abundantly than in spring.

If the bushes become too loose or bare from below, you can pinch off the terminal (apical) buds in September for better tillering or cut off the tops (0.5 cm) of the shoots. Just try not to overuse this procedure so as not to deplete the plants.

Daphne reproduces by seeds, cuttings and layering. Cuttings (current year growth), cut in mid-July-August, take root in two to three weeks in sand or vermiculite in a greenhouse. Layers can be obtained by hilling a bush high or pinning branches to the ground in spring. After a year and a half, it will be possible to neatly separate the rooted branches.

Daphne seeds propagate for a long time: they prefer to emerge only two winters after sowing, and they will have to wait for flowering for several years. But if there is no other way out, sow the seeds washed from the pulp immediately after harvesting (or receiving) into loose soil, sprinkling them with a layer of earth 1-1.5 cm, and water well. The soil must be kept constantly moist. Seedlings will appear only next spring (when sowing outdoors) or after keeping the sowing for two to three months in a refrigerator at a temperature of about zero degrees (stratification is necessary for daphne seeds).

The roots of wolfberry are long, capable of penetrating to a depth of 1 m or more. So the plant provides itself with stability (many species prefer to grow on talus and rocks) and access to moisture, which may be absent in the upper soil layers. With age, the roots become woody and easily break when bent.
Lying branches have the ability to form roots if they are in contact with the ground for a long time. The same happens when hilling a bush.

It is better to plant wolfberries immediately in a permanent place. But if there is a need to transplant plants, it is preferable to do this in the fall. In September, cool and humid weather will help you to endure the rooting period more easily. The bush must be dug out, preserving, if possible, the entire root system and trying to make sure that as little earth as possible crumbles. You will probably have to disassemble part of the slide.

In principle, spring and even summer transplantation is possible (for young plants), but in this case the risk of their death is very high. To reduce it, shade the transplanted specimen and create high air humidity around. For example, cover with half a plastic bottle and shade with newspaper or a plywood board. And of course, after transplanting, the plants will need to be shed well and monitored the soil moisture more closely than usual.

By the way, when digging a bush, you should carefully examine and separate the branches that have their own roots (this often happens in mountain species and Daphne Julia). Then you will have one more, and if you are lucky, and several young plants.

I have not yet noticed that my Daphne was attacked by anyone. Is that one was eaten by mice, but quickly recovered. So do not rush to remove the plant from the garden if the ground plant is somehow damaged: daphne can grow from dormant buds or give shoots from roots.

How to find companions for Daphne? Wolves are non-aggressive, their aboveground part does not die off for the winter, therefore adonis, sleep-grass, gentian, ephemeroids, cushion alpines and ground cover perennials may well coexist with alpine species, and tall or forest species can be combined with herbs, lungwort or ferns. My deadly wolfberry lives in common with the European ungulate, sedges, ostrich and maidenhair foot, between which are planted woods and kandyks. And mountain views feel great on an alpine limestone slide among other residents of high altitudes. One of Julia's daphne rejoices in a simple garden loam on a slightly (20 cm) raised place, because I'm pretty damp in the spring. And she feels no worse than her sisters on the hill. Oshten gentian grows at its roots, other neighbors are dwarf irises and gray fescue.

Keep in mind: the neighborhood of small children and wolfberry on the site can turn into disaster. It is better to refrain from planting these plants until the baby reaches a conscious age. And breaking branches into bouquets is also strongly discouraged.