I have several troughs with alpines in. They are due a bit of of an overhaul this year, as some of the spreaders have spread too enthusiastically. One of them is a little, pink flowered evergreen geranium, very pretty but shall we say a good doer!
Some of my favourites are a little, dwarf, perennial iris that is in quite a shady damp spot, but flowers its socks off every year and is now big enough to split. Another is the miniature rhododendron that gives a bit of year round interest, with silvery grey leaves and tiny purple rhodie flowers in spring.
Last year I planted a gentiana acaulis in one, which has survived the winter and flowered again this year. Lots of flowers but very late, but I think that was the confusing weather we had. I also have an edelweis, but that is in a pot as it hates winter wet, so spends the wettest months under the bench by the wall. Two lovely things I have had in the past and want to replace are the cheery purple and yellow polygala chamaebuxus and Campanula cocchlearifolia 'Elizabeth Oliver' with the prettiest, tiny double bell flowers. That one was in a trough on top of a wall so I could see them better
I had that little campanula in a previous garden @Buttercupdays. It would be ideal. Mine was in quite a sunny spot, and it was fine, but we have lots of cool weather, so the sunny days weren't enough to bother it. Gentians are a good shout. I also have an alpine geranium, which looks like a mini Anne Folkard or Patricia in flower colour. Not totally evergreen here [dies back in coldest winters] but it's still got foliage now. I can't remember which one it is [not much help - sorry ] although it might be G. cin. subcaulescens splendens, but Ballerina is also a good plant.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Fairygirl Ballerina rings a faint bell It's been there for years and any label has long since become lost or illegible. It grew so well I moved a bit of it to the bigger rockery at the front of the house and it's taken that over as well!
It's a nice plant @Buttercupdays - but paler and with those lovely vein markings. I had it the garden round the corner from here. I don't think mine got very big, but I really can't remember. The one I currently have is very small. I can't find any photos, but it's in a raised bed, in a sunny site [until afternoon anyway] and is very well behaved. It would be ideal for an alpine sink
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thank you all for your recommendations and additional tips! I am confident of a much more interesting display this year - I may need another trough too!
Another vote for phlox, they are really lovely in full bloom and some very pretty ones. Ive got mine between patio slabs. Im a sucker for saxifrage as well.
I also have a variegated Arabis which has white flowers. Nice little plant. I'd forgotten about it. Sisyrinchium is another nice little plant. There's a purpley one and also a white.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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Two lovely things I have had in the past and want to replace are the cheery purple and yellow polygala chamaebuxus and Campanula cocchlearifolia 'Elizabeth Oliver' with the prettiest, tiny double bell flowers. That one was in a trough on top of a wall so I could see them better
Gentians are a good shout.
I also have an alpine geranium, which looks like a mini Anne Folkard or Patricia in flower colour. Not totally evergreen here [dies back in coldest winters] but it's still got foliage now. I can't remember which one it is [not much help - sorry ] although it might be G. cin. subcaulescens splendens, but Ballerina is also a good plant.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
The one I currently have is very small. I can't find any photos, but it's in a raised bed, in a sunny site [until afternoon anyway] and is very well behaved. It would be ideal for an alpine sink
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Sisyrinchium is another nice little plant. There's a purpley one and also a white.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...