Alpine garden 



(32) 



Alpine garden 



particular habit of growth, as the modern Alpine 

 garden now includes herbaceous plants, in the 

 popular sense of the term, bulbous plants, shrubs, 

 and annuals. It is obvious, therefore, that the 

 place in which these are to be grown should be 

 adapted to the cultivation of plants of very varied 

 requirements in the way of soil, position, and ex- 

 posure. How to attain the ideal position for the 

 plants requires much consideration from those 

 about to embark upon the cultivation of Alpine 

 flowers. 



Alpine gardens are of many kinds. The wealthy 

 man may have a large and picturesque rock garden, 

 imitating Nature in the arrangement of the stones 

 of which it is constructed, or built of some of the 

 substitutes for stone which the skill of practised 

 rockwork builders can fashion into a perfect 

 imitation of rocks, but often better adapted for 

 growing the plants than one made of natural 

 stone, and capable of making a finer effect by 

 reason of having an increased number of crevices 

 in which to plant the flowers. The poorer man 

 may content himself with rockeries on a less 

 ambitious scale, constructed of smaller stones in 

 terraces on which the plants are grown often 

 hotter, indeed, than on more elaborate erections. 

 Those, again, who have but a short tenure of their 

 gardens, or who live in districts where stone is 

 scarce, may grow many beautiful things in a 

 little rock befl, made of a raised bed of good soil, 

 edged with stones, and having a number of a larger 

 size partially inserted in the soil here and there 

 on the bed. In such a bed many choice flowers 

 can be grown as well as on the extensive rockery. 



The engravings which accompany this will show 

 that formality must be avoided in constructing the 

 various kinds'of Alpine gardens. In an extensive one, 

 where expense is no object, or at most a secondary 

 consideration, it is advisable to entrust the work 

 to men of experience. Where these sometimes 

 err is in allowing too few " pockets " for the plants 

 to he placed in. 



As far as possible, the stones ought to be ar- 

 ranged in their natural position. This is not 

 always easy, but careful planting will take 

 away the artificial appearance of the com- 

 monest and cheapest rockery, even if only built 

 of slag dipped in cement. In the construc- 

 tion of a rockery a free root-run for the plants 

 must always be given, and those which do not 

 travel far for food can easily be provided for after- 

 wards by restricting this. Ample drainage is also 

 necessary, and the crevices should be so arranged 

 that surplus water can pass freely away. Even if 

 a plant requires an overhanging rock or stone to 

 keep its foliage dry, it ought to have a way by 

 which the rain can pass freely to its roots. Thus 

 the crevices for the plants should always run 

 down, and not up, as is sometimes the case. For 

 small, or even large, rockeries, a series of terraces 

 is the best general arrangement. 



While the body of soil may consist of almost any 

 kind of a free and porous nature, the places in 

 which the flowers are planted must be filled with 

 compost suited to their respective wants. A light 

 loam, with the addition of grit and leaf mould, 

 will do for most Alpines; those which require a 

 special compost can be accommodated with what 

 they want by filling their " pockets " with suitable 

 soil. 



In planning an Alpine garden it ought to be 

 borne in mind that a variety of aspect is essential 

 if a varied collection is to be grown. Some flowers 



like full sun, but others need whole or partial 

 shade. Even in a rockery with one exposure, these 

 may be secured by the construction of little bavs, 

 or even by the skilful interposition of large stones 

 between shade lovers and the sun. At the base. 

 plants needing moisture can be accommodated 

 with a little bed of moist peat, and a small cement 

 basin filled with aquatic plants would be a gain to 

 many Alpine gardens. (*',' Aquatics.) Those who 

 cannot give Alpine flowers such places as are indi- 

 cated may be. able to grow a great many satis- 

 factorily in a frame, the plants being cultivated in 

 well-drained pots and given plenty of air as 

 constantly as possible. The pots should be plunged 

 in sand or ashes. Many choice Alpines thus well 

 repay the care of the cultivator which can only be 

 grown satisfactorily in our climate in pots in a 

 frame. 



To those who can afford it. a low house for 

 Alpine flowers will give much pleasure, especially 

 early in the year, when inclement weather is 

 destructive to the earliest flowers in the open, or 

 makes it disagreeable for the owner to stay out- 

 side. A low span - roof house, with or without 

 heating apparatus, will be the most suitable, and 

 will prove a delightful adjunct to the outdoor 

 Alpine garden. 



Many Alpines, especially those with silky, hairy, 

 or woolly foliage, suffer much from rain and sleet 

 in winter. These must have protection from wet 

 at that season, and there is no more convenient 

 way ; of giving it than by fixing, an inch or two 

 above the plant, a sheet of glass, a slate, flat stone, 

 or even a thin board. Useful wire supports for 

 glass are made for sale, and are both convenient 

 and durable. 



Perhaps 'the greatest of all the enemies to the 

 success of the Alpine garden is the slug, which 

 finds in its crevices many hiding places, whence 

 he can sally forth at night. There is nothing so 

 effectual ns hand-picking, but, to preserve special 

 plants, a zinc ring with a notched upper surface is 

 a good defence. Still better is one made of fine 

 brass wire gauze, such as is used for sieves. A 

 regular search under plants which slugs frequent 

 for hiding places will diminish their numbers. 



Autumn or early winter is the best time to 

 construct an Alpine garden, as the winter rains 

 will settle the soil before planting, which is best 

 done in spring. In planting, see, that the roots 

 are firmly planted and well jammed into the 

 crevice, without, however, being injured. 



An important point in the Alpine garden is that 

 of top-dressing. Many plants are destroyed from 

 want of this, and it is always safer to have a 

 periodical inspection and supply the requirements 

 of the flowers in this respect. Loam, grit, and leaf 

 mould will make a good compost for this purpose. 



There are so ma.ny plants available for the 

 Alpine garden that only suggestivelists of the leading 

 plants for different positions can be given. For 

 details reference can be made to the paragraphs 

 relating to these genera. 



For South Exposures : 



Acsena, Acantholimon, Adonis, JEthionema, 

 Alsine, Alyssum, Androsace. Anemone (sonic), 

 Antennaria, Anthemis, Arabis. Arenaria, Armcria, 

 Astragalus, Aubrietia, Campanula, Chciranthus, 

 Cistus,Coronilla,Cytisus, Dinntlras, Draba.Edraian- 

 thus, Erysimum, Genista, Geranium, Globularia, 

 Gypsophila, Helianthermmi, Hypericiim, Iberis, 

 Iris, Linum, (Enothera, Onosma, Orobus, Phlox, 



