CHAPTER XVII 

 Alpine Flowers in Pots 



THEY who have a cold (unheated) greenhouse can- 

 not fill it more delightfully in spring than by 

 growing alpine flowers in pots. The glass covering 

 protects them from damage by wind and weather, thus 

 ensuring the opening of the mountain blossoms in all 

 their exquisite purity of colouring. Moreover it advances 

 the period of flowering by a few weeks, so that, having 

 a little greenhouse, or even a frame, one is able to enjoy 

 these " children of the high hills " before they are due 

 to open in the rock garden. Growing alpine flowers in 

 pots is an absorbing recreation open to the dweller in 

 the suburbs as well as to the possessor of a country 

 garden, and, providing some initial care is taken, the 

 subject presents no insuperable difficulties even to the 

 unskilled amateur. 



Many alpines may remain in the same pots or pans, 

 undisturbed from year to year; though, as a rule, the 

 bulbs need to be freshly planted each autumn. Flower- 

 pans (which are really wide flower-pots) are better than 

 pots for most kinds, and should be preferred. Those 

 six or seven inches wide and four or five inches deep 



are most generally suitable. Plenty of drainage is one 



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