Alpines originate from high altitude mountainous regions, growing above the tree line or in lowlands in Arctic and Antarctic zones. So, to say that they are hardy and resilient seems an understatement!

A great starting point for beginner gardeners, alpines are easy to grow, with minimal maintenance needs and are happy in a range of different containers, including troughs and sinks, in rockery gardens, gravel gardens, raised beds, and even in crevices in stone walls and in between paving.

The choice of plants is huge, in fact there are over 200 varieties of alpines listed, with flowers in various vibrant colours, at differing times of the year. Think about combining different types of foliage too, for when the plants aren’t in flower and you can enjoy the wondrous displays these charming little gems of the garden give you all year round.

Below we explore the benefits of planting alpines, the steps involved in creating an alpine garden, and tips for maintaining it. If you don’t want to plant up a section or create a rockery with alpines, why not give it a go in a shallow planter?

Planting alpine plants offers numerous benefits, both for gardeners and the environment. These hardy, often low-growing plants are well-suited to challenging conditions and can bring beauty and ecological value to a garden. Here are the main benefits of planting alpines:

1. Adaptability to Harsh Conditions

• Drought Tolerance: Alpines are adapted to thrive in low-water environments, making them ideal for xeriscaping (to design a garden in such a way that it needs as little water as possible) and water-wise gardening.
• Cold Resistance: They are naturally resilient to frost and cold temperatures, often surviving in climates where other plants cannot.

2. Low Maintenance

• Once established, alpine plants require minimal care, as they are accustomed to thriving in nutrient-poor soils and with limited resources.
• They are generally pest-resistant and require little to no fertilization.

3. Space Efficiency

• Their compact size makes them perfect for small gardens, rock gardens, or even container gardening.
• They are excellent for filling gaps in rocky areas or between paving stones.

4. Erosion Control

• Alpine plants have strong root systems that help stabilise soil, making them useful for preventing erosion on slopes or in areas with loose soil.

5. Aesthetic Appeal

• Many alpines produce vibrant flowers and unique foliage, adding texture and color to gardens.
• Their low-growing nature and variety make them ideal for creating visually appealing rock gardens, green roofs, or alpine meadows.

6. Biodiversity Support

• They attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, contributing to local ecosystems.
• Some alpine plants are host species for specific insects and wildlife.

7. Suitability for Poor Soils

• They thrive in rocky, sandy, or well-draining soils where many other plants struggle, making them a great choice for challenging landscapes.

8. Climate Change Resilience

• Due to their ability to survive in extreme conditions, alpines can adapt well to the changing climates and help gardeners maintain green spaces in difficult environments.

Planting alpines can create a sustainable, visually stunning garden while supporting the environment and conserving resources.

Where to plant

Having originated and evolved in a variety of mountainous environments across the globe, alpines are extremely versatile and can withstand harsh conditions. They love an open, sunny position in well-drained soil.

Even in the smallest of spaces and gardens, alpine plants can really come into their own, as a wide range of varieties can be grown together in a limited space.

How to plant

Aim to create a natural look and consider that some plants will spread. They like well-drained soil, so be sure to mix in plenty of grit with your compost as this will improve drainage.

To plant, dig a small hole in the rock garden or alpine trough, remove the plant from its pot and gently tease it out to prevent damaging the roots. Put the plant in the hole and back fill, then firm down in place. Finish by adding a layer of grit around the plant. If planting into a container, ensure it has drainage holes in the base.

If planting into a crevice or wall, make sure that there are no perennial weeds already lurking in the gaps. Remove them by hand or use a weedkiller if necessary. With a little compost, push your plant into the crevice and water lightly until established.

If planting into a pathway, alpines can beautifully soften the hard edges of your path, creating a colourful patchwork to walk over. Fork over the soil in the area, create a hole and add a little grit to each, plant in and then you can top with more grit, pebbles or smallish rocks to complete the look.

How to care for alpines

Alpines have adapted to growing in poor soil conditions, so there is no need to feed them and in fact, they need very little care. However, it is good to keep weeding around them and top up with a layer of coarse grit around the base of the stems as required.

They typically require less frequent watering at they are adapted to survive in dry conditions. But, water more regularly after planting them for their first year at least, this is especially so if you planted them outside of the spring months. This watering will help the plants establish. Be mindful to water them if there are periods of prolonged drought. Ensure the soil is moist, but not waterlogged.

Create your own alpine container garden by following these easy steps…

1.Choose your Planter – An ideal alpine planter is shallower and wider than a normal pot. Our range of Errington Low Bowls are available in a range of colours to add additional interest to your space. You could also repurpose other items to plant in such as our wooden crates, or an old butler sink. Ensure your planter has holes for drainage to keep your alpines looking their best.

2. Acquire Materials – Alpines enjoy a free draining soil to grow in so you’ll need plenty of grit, sharp sand and even broken pots or large stones. The sand and grits need to be horticultural grade so there are no impurities like salt which can affect how your plants grow. You will also need a soil based compost, like John Innes No.2, to mix with sand to decrease its water retention. Place the broken pot in first over the drainage holes to stop them from clogging up, then cover with the grit, then the sand, making sure each layer is about 1 inch thick. Fill the rest with the sand/compost mix leaving about 1 inch from the rim.

3. Choose Plants – This is mostly down to personal choice but if you want interest all year try and choose evergreen varieties with different flowering times, this will prevent your planter from becoming a pot of promise over the winter period. You will also want to think about having a mix of trailing, low growing and upright varieties as these will increase the depth of colour without taking up any extra room.

4. Planting – When placing your alpines in your container be conscious of their growth habits, it’s best to place any trailing varieties near the edge and taller ones in the middle. You will also want to plant your alpines fairly shallow, with the top of the root ball in line with the compost in the planter.

5. Water & Aftercare – Finally, give your container a good drink to settle your plants in, then water sparingly after that, watering more regularly in the heat of summer, but most of all, sit back, relax and enjoy your outside space!

TOP TIP: Cover the top of your planter with decorative stones or grits to finish the look!