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Costly Rockery

andreamoretonandreamoreton Posts: 46
in Plants
Hi.I have a largest rockery and I'm.fed up  putting bedding plants in its getting to costly. Is there anything I can plant that will.look after its self and get through the winter? I would like some colour it .
Thank you Gardeners.
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Posts

  • RoddersUKRoddersUK Posts: 537
    Many alpines will flower year on year and have plenty of colour

  • RoddersUKRoddersUK Posts: 537
    Some of mine became too big, so have now been removed.
    Look after theirselves too!


  • andreamoretonandreamoreton Posts: 46
    RoddersUK said:
    Many alpines will flower year on year and have plenty of colour

    But can they survive the frosts?
    And what alpines do you have in your lovely rockery?
  • RoddersUKRoddersUK Posts: 537
    Yes, they grow on mountains, as the snow thaws in spring, they start to emerge.

    I know the purple on is aubretia, white daisy one in erigeron, top photo middle front one, I think that's an erigeron too. There's a dianthus in there too, behind the aubretia.

    Put a few dwarf pines in too, I think on the left is a blue scotch pine. Really nice pine colour on that. Bit of lavender too, but for me that gets massive, so I've pulled some out and put new smaller ones in.

    Plenty of range in garden centres. These were all bought in little 5/10cm pots and a few years later!


  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    andreamoreton said:
    Hi.I have a largest rockery and I'm.fed up  putting bedding plants in its getting to costly. Is there anything I can plant that will.look after its self and get through the winter? I would like some colour it .
    Thank you Gardeners.
    I think you will probably need to provide some basic info ( and pics too if possible )  - eg your location, aspect , type of soil and how your rockery is constructed.  It will then help others to offer advice and suggestions.
    Just as a pointer, what are often sold as "bedding plants" are probably not suitable for your purpose  :)
  • Singing GardenerSinging Gardener Posts: 1,237
    I have helianthemums, geraniums and asters in mine (and aubretia and erigeron, which have already been mentioned).
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - clue's in the title - alpine plants  ;)
    Most of the ones readily available will grow perfectly well in UK gardens, but some info re the site/location will help, as already said. The size of the area is also a factor in choosing the right ones.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    Phlox subulata and douglassii types are very easy to grow and flower for a long period.
  • WAMSWAMS Posts: 1,960
    In addition  to the above, armeria, thyme and campanula always survive here, too 
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    You say your rockery is large, if it has a good depth of soil, just think of it as an elevated border with rocks and don't be restricted with your plant choices.  Depending on the aspect, soil condition and depth of soil, you could grow whatever you like if the conditions suit. 

    I inherited a large sandstone rockery here 10 years ago and over time have removed all the tired traditional rockery plants to replace them with shrubs, perennials and grasses which suit the sandy soil and position. I don't use bedding plants and only the occasional annual for extra colour.




    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


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