What ornamental trees to plant on an alpine hill. What plants are suitable for an alpine slide: photos and names. Plants for an alpine slide with a long flowering period

So, for example, shade-loving species are not suitable for a sunny rocky hill, etc. But when choosing plants for rocky gardens (rockeries), one more important factor must be taken into account - their naturalness, “naturalness”. On a rocky hill, garden flowers, which are distinguished by splendor, are out of place, as they divert attention from the overall composition. In addition, all plants should be compact and, if possible, all year round look neat and pretty. So give preference natural species and similar varieties, especially plants with wintering leaves and shoots that adorn the garden even in winter.

The main functions of plants for a rocky garden are as follows:

• emphasize beautiful elements the addition of a rocky garden;
• hide unsuccessful elements of the composition, ugly or unnaturally laid stones (coniferous plants and ground cover perennials are suitable for this);
• soften, enliven the composition;
• delight the eye with a variety of colors and textures of leaves, beautiful flowering.

Plant the plants in the order in which they are discussed in this article - this will help you compose the composition correctly and provide the plants with the best living conditions.

Types of perennials for alpine slides: photos and names

Perennial plants for alpine slides with foliage dying off for the winter can be divided into the following types:

• Species forming narrow-leaved tufts- corolla, anticlei, paradisea, liatris, daylilies, many irises. They look organic in any composition, especially next to large stones. Low-growing forms of perennials for rock garden, such as sizirhynchium and dwarf ornamental grass, good for group landing.
• Species producing large but compact tufts of leaves or shoots- ferns, astilbes, thorns, ash trees, rhodiola. Best of all, such flowers for rockeries look at the stones, at the joints and at the foot of the terraces.
• Species forming undersized curtains- spectacular, but often capricious plants: primroses, edelweiss, backache, dryakvenniki, gentian, armeria, rock bells, miniature ferns. Plant perennial alpine flowers in isolated holes and in small groups on small terraces.
• Species growing in tall curtains. Most are shade tolerant forest plants.. Some can be quite aggressive, such as lilies of the valley, kupene, disporums, badans; use them in large rockeries flat type or to secure slopes. Other flowers for the rock garden grow compactly: Goryanka, Jeffersonia, uvularia, "curtain" ferns; the best place for them is spacious terraces.
• "Giants" - plants too large for rockeries. Only in large gardens you can use a few slender species with beautiful leaves: volzhanka, black cohosh, buzulniki, rogers, ascilboides, peltiphyllums. Plant these perennials for rockeries singly or in small groups - this is the only way they will demonstrate all their beauty.

There are a huge number of perennials shedding leaves suitable for rocky gardens, so we will focus only on species typical of the most common type of rockery - alpine hills.

For successful cultivation The plants presented below must be observed not only specific for each species, but also the rules of agricultural technology common to all of them:

• Transplant in early spring(before the start of active growth) or in the second half of summer (after the end of growth).
• Plant perennials on light, humus-rich loams with an acidity of 5.5 - 6.
• In autumn, cut off all plants that have not retained or not formed green shoots at ground level.
• For a successful wintering, spend hilling or mulching in the fall, capricious views cover with a layer of leaves to a height of 10-20 cm.

Ephemeroids are plants that have a very short vegetation cycle. They bloom in spring or early summer, after which they shed their foliage. They are planted in rockeries last and only in the fall.

What ephemeroid flowers can be planted on an alpine hill?

Snowdrops, white flower beds, corydalis, crocuses, iridodictiums, kandyks, chionodoxes, scillas, pushkinias, muscari, and, of course, tulips, daffodils and hyacinths are perfect for these purposes. They bloom for a short time, but catchy and spectacular, for which they are loved by gardeners.

These plants for rockeries have a single, but serious drawback - after flowering they look unattractive, and during the period of foliage dying off, they do not decorate the rock garden, but rather spoil it. However, you should not refuse ephemeroids - you just need to choose the right species.

Give preference to plants whose foliage dies off within 2-3 weeks after flowering. Be wary of large-flowered varieties of tulips and hyacinths - their splendor is contrary to the aesthetics of rockeries. The natural forms of these plants and their miniature varieties look much more organic in a rocky garden.

Ephemeroids are always planted in groups. AT small gardens nests of 3-5 or 10-20 specimens looking out from under stones or growing at the foot of terraces look spectacular. In large rockeries, especially in flat ones, they create extensive color spots from dozens of plants. Just do not forget that after the death of the leaves, the place occupied by ephemeroids will be empty until next spring.

Ephemeroid plants belong to a variety of families, however, in their agricultural technology, much in common can be distinguished:

• • Photophilous, but can be planted under crowns deciduous plants and between late-growing perennials, since the ephemeroids have time to bloom before the planting site is shaded by foliage.
  • Moisture-loving during the period of active growth, after the leaves die off, they normally tolerate dry soil.

• Heat during the growth period shortens the growing season. Before flowering, they are not afraid of frost. After the end of the growing season, they are demanding temperature regime- some need to be dug up and stored until planting in a cool, dry place.
• Most go many years without a transplant. Excessive compaction of the “nest”, which prevents the normal development of plants, means that it is time to carry out a rejuvenating division. The best period for digging and transplanting is the end of the growing season.
• The optimal landing time is from late September to mid-October. The heavier and colder the soil, the closer to the surface plant the bulbs.
• They like well-drained, humus-rich, slightly acidic or neutral soils. Prefer loose loamy or sandy soils.
• They reproduce well by fresh seeds, blooming for 3-5 years. Seedlings painlessly tolerate transplantation (picking) only in initial stage growth. Many species easily spread throughout the garden with earthworks and thanks to the ability to self-seeding.

Look at the photo of perennial ephemeroid flowers for the alpine slide:

When choosing flowers that are ideal for an alpine slide, pay attention to the following plants.

Anticlea gracious (Zygadenus) - Anticlea elegans (Zygadenus)

Anticlea gracious (Zygadenus) on the picture
Flowers of Anticlea gracious

Bulbs do not have summer dormancy. The plant is suitable for all large rockeries. Looks great near the stones, next to the "bog", in a mixborder.

Bulbous plant. This perennial flower, suitable for an alpine hill, got its name not by chance - it is, indeed, very elegant. Narrow gray basal leaves are collected in bunches up to 40 cm high. It blooms in early summer. The flowers are small, yellow-green, collected in a narrow paniculate inflorescence, peduncle about 70 cm tall. Prefers rich soils. It develops well both in partial shade and in open places. Moisture-loving, but withstands temporary drying. Winter-hardy without shelter.

All representatives of the genus are suitable for rockeries.

Thrift- Armeria

Most compact:

Armeria soddy in the photo
(A. caespitosa) pictured

Seaside Armeria in the photo
(A. maritima) pictured

Seaside Armeria (A. maritima), forming cushions of narrow, partially wintering leaves.

As you can see in the photo, the inflorescences of these plants for alpine hills are capitate, the flowers are often pink, the flower stalks are from 3 to 30 cm high:

Armeria are very spectacular in small and narrow holes, in the crevices of retaining walls and rocks, between the slabs of the paths.

Prefer open sunny places, poor and well-drained soils. Drought-resistant. Winter-hardy without shelter, freeze only in very cold snowless winters.

Venechnik
Anthericum

All species are spectacular elegant plants. Narrow basal leaves are collected in rosettes. Blooms in early summer delicate flowers collected in lush paniculate inflorescences.

Peduncles 60 to 150 cm high. Perfect as seasonal dominants.

Pay attention to the photo how well these plants for rockeries complement large compositional groups:

They are undemanding to soils, but develop better on nutritious loams. They prefer a sunny location, but tolerate shading. Shelter for the winter is not required.

catchment on the picture
Aquilegia on the picture

For rocky gardens, the most suitable fan-shaped catchment (A. flabellata) is a dwarf species no more than 15 cm high (varietal forms can reach 30 cm).

This perennial plant for the alpine slide got its name for the ability of leaves and flowers to collect and preserve rain water and dew. The leaves near the watershed are bluish-green, pinnate. The flowers are large, with short spurs, blue, white or pink; bloom in early summer. It is undemanding to soils, but lives longer on loose soils than on heavy or peaty ones. Prefers a sunny or semi-shady location. Easily transfers transplant. Drought tolerant. Winter-hardy. Blooms profusely, but not for long.

Bell on the picture
Campanula on the picture

Unpretentious mountain-meadow and rocky species are best suited for rockeries. The name of these flowers, suitable for an alpine slide, is known to everyone. Bluebells are sun-loving, do not like summer transplants, do not tolerate waterlogging, and are relatively drought-resistant. Prefer neutral or slightly alkaline loamy soil.

Carpathian bell in the photo
(C. carpatica) pictured

Forms compact bushes about 25 cm high. The leaves are small, basal and stem. The flowers are blue or white, large. Blooms all summer.

Gargan bell in the photo
(C. garganica) pictured

Forms tufts from lodging stems. It blooms in early summer with beautiful blue flowers. These flowers for an alpine slide grow well only in the crevices of dry masonry walls or on narrow terraces. It is frost-resistant, but safely winters only on the drained soils under a snow cover.

Portenschlag bell in the photo
(C. portenschlagiana) pictured

Vertical shoots are collected in neat bushes. Blooms very profusely in early summer. The flowers are small, purple. It grows well and hibernates only in drained holes or crevices in the walls of dry masonry.

Bells will decorate any sunny rockery. Plant them in small holes, on narrow terraces, or in crevices of walls lined with dry masonry - in such places they develop best. The Carpathian bluebell can grow on tufa.

To prolong the flowering period of the Carpathian bell, cut off faded shoots - abundant fruiting stops flowering.

Here you can see a selection of photos of perennials for an alpine slide, the names of which are given above:

Mountain plants are those flowers that are ideal for alpine slides. Growing rock species of bluebells and saxifrages, Gesneriaceae, gentians, levisias, dwarf ferns and other "highlights" of rocky gardens requires considerable experience and patience. "Rarities" are planted in small holes and in crevices between stones, while trying to distinguish them from the general composition. Sometimes you have to prepare a special soil substrate, especially drain the seat or arrange a visor that protects from rain. Many of these plants need a certain acidity of the soil that differs from the general background and the presence of a certain type of stone in the neighborhood.

Most mountain plants and flowers, when grown on an alpine hill, do not tolerate loved ones. ground water and stagnation of water on the soil. They grow well on small shaded terraces of rocky hills.

However, if you grow a rare saxifrage, gentian, gerbil, or rockwort, you will have a legitimate reason to be proud.

Below you will see photos and names of mountain flowers suitable for rock garden.

Gentian on the picture
Gentiana on the picture

Relatively unpretentious species:

Gentian seven-separate in the photo
(G. septemfida) pictured

Gentian rough in the photo
(G. scabra) pictured

Gentian Chinese decorated in the photo
(G. sinoornata) pictured

They bloom in late summer - autumn, for many years they live without a transplant and special care.

The situation is more complicated with dwarf alpine gentian, blooming in early spring:

Gentian stemless in the photo
(G. acaulis) pictured

Gentian Delekluza in the photo
(G. clusii) pictured

Spring gentian in the photo
(G. verna) pictured

Plant them in wind-sheltered, well-drained holes filled with loose fertile soil and fine limestone. Transplant only in early spring, water in summer and shelter from the scorching sun. And remember: all the difficulties of care will pay off with the joy of a long and lush flowering.

levisia cotyledon on the picture
Lewisia cotyledon on the picture

A beauty that would be most suitable for a cold greenhouse, but it can also bloom in open ground, in a crevice or hole protected from rain.

As you can see in the photo, even rosettes are original for these flowers for an alpine slide - evergreen, similar to large youngsters:

In May, flower stalks appear from rosettes, on which flowers 3 cm in diameter bloom. The main condition for the successful development of a plant is right choice landing sites. The soil should be permeable, nutritious, and the socket should remain dry as much as possible.

haberlea rhodopiensis on the picture
Haberlea rodopensis on the picture

A relative of the uzambara violet, but in middle lane quite cold hardy. Can only grow in proximity to rocks. Does not tolerate alkaline soil. The best place landing - inclined hole. It is winter-hardy, but it is better to cover it with spruce branches.

Below you can find another selection of photos of plants grown in rock gardens, find out their names and descriptions.

Perennial flowers for rock garden: photos and names

prickly on the picture
Carlina on the picture

All types are suitable for rockeries, but the stemless thorn (C. acaulis) is especially good.

Rigid, prickly leaves are collected in rosettes. Blooms in late summer. Inflorescences - baskets with a diameter of 6-8 cm, open only in the sun. Peduncles from 10 to 30 cm.

All thorns are dried flowers. Especially good when landing near rocks, in holes and on terraces.

Very sun-loving. Drought tolerant. Does not tolerate transplant well. Does not tolerate waterlogging. Prefers loose loam, but thrives on any non-acidic, well-drained soil. Winter-hardy. It freezes only in severe snowless winters and during stagnant winter-spring waters.

Primrose (primrose) on the picture
Primula on the picture

Primroses will decorate any rock garden. This plant, suitable for rockeries, got its name because it blooms one of the first.

Primula Ear in the photo
(Auricula) pictured

The species of the Ear section (Auricula) are distinguished by a special originality. These are typical alpine plants; their leaves are smooth, leathery, the flowers are wide open. Prefers non-acidic moist soils, drought-resistant. Sun-loving, but tolerate shading. Frost-resistant.

There are varieties with large and double flowers, but there are also charming "dwarfs":

Primula Delescluza in the photo
(P. clusiana) pictured

Primrose noticeable in the photo
(p spectabilis) pictured

Primrose bordered in the photo
(P. marginata) pictured

Creating an alpine slide is a fascinating process that requires not only imagination, but also attentiveness. Even one incorrectly selected plant can spoil the whole impression, breaking the harmony between other inhabitants of the rocky garden. Therefore, you need to make the right choice from an extensive list of plants suitable for compiling an alpine slide composition.

To make the alpine slide look attractive throughout the season, you should select a place for planting plants, taking into account their flowering time and the principle of layering:

1. The top of the hill. It is more open to the sun's rays than the tiers below; therefore, it is rational to plant plants here that love sunlight and do not need a lot of moisture.
2. middle tier- a place for plants that feel good in partial shade. Here, the soil moisture is average, so the middle of the alpine hill can be called universal: for most flowers, the conditions here are ideal, which gives wide opportunities for selection.
3. The foot of the hill- logical ending landscape composition. The plants planted here should be combined with the rest of the rock garden and choose those that love moisture and tolerate shade. After all, most of the sun's rays will go to the neighbors from above.

To ensure continuous flowering from early spring to late autumn, should be chosen flowering plants according to the principle of change. Evergreen shrubs and dwarf trees will look great in winter, looking out from under the snow.

Creating an alpine slide is a fascinating process that requires not only imagination, but also attentiveness

Plant layouts in rock gardens

Before you start creating an alpine slide, you need to create a graphic scheme. It will reflect the general idea of ​​​​the composition, help to generate new ideas and even before planting the plants to find possible errors.

First of all, stones are designated. The largest should be at the base, and the rest should create a gentle slope so that there is room for soil and plant roots. You can experiment by coming up with terraces, sharp cliffs, a pond and other interesting solutions.

Here are a couple of examples of circuits:

1. spicy hill, on which fragrant flowers are located: oregano will occupy the top, heather, hyssop, monarda and medicinal sage will feel good on the middle tier, and basil, bright nasturtium and fragrant thyme will sit at the very base.
2. Coniferous hill: thuja, planted at the top, looks great surrounded by creeping juniper of the middle tier (you can use different types) and weeping cypress. The rock garden is completed by dwarf spruces or pines, the soil under which is disguised by a saxifrage carpet.

Each site owner has the opportunity to create a unique landscape slide design. After drawing up the scheme, you can start laying stones and soil, and then planting plants.

Gallery: plants for the alpine slide (25 photos)

What plants are suitable for an alpine slide (video)

Names and descriptions of perennial flowers for alpine hills

Perennials form the basis of the alpine slide. Therefore, their choice must be approached responsibly: the appearance of the composition depends on which plants will be chosen. You can introduce new colors and accents annually by planting annual plants.

Armeria maritime

A compact plant whose bushes form fluffy green cushions of narrow leaves. Above them rise numerous inflorescences (about 10), which are lilac balls. Outwardly, the armeria is similar to decorative bow.hardy plant, poorly responsive to high soil moisture. Therefore, the armeria will feel good at the top of the hill or on the slope of the middle tier.

Dicentra exceptional

This plant is popularly called broken hearted» for the original shape of the flowers. Usually dicentres are a large bush, but the Exceptional does not exceed 25 cm in height. It goes well with coniferous and creeping plants, so it will be an excellent highlight of the rock garden. The green-gray foliage of the dicentra is exceptionally similar to the leaves of a fern, and flowers in the form of disconnected halves of the heart can be white or pink.

Dicentra exceptional

gypsophila

The plant belongs to the clove family. It has an erect or creeping stem with a small number of small lanceolate leaves, crowned with panicle inflorescences with small white (rarely pink) flowers.

bulbous flowers

These are crocuses, daffodils, snowdrops and blueberries. They appear immediately after the descent of the tender cover, reviving the landscape in a spring way. For a change, you can plant varietal Greig tulips with flowers beautiful shape, reaching 30 cm in height, and Kaufman tulips.

gypsophila

rejuvenated

Stone rose, as it is also called young, has excellent endurance. At the same time, the plant is very beautiful: its fleshy angular leaves are collected in rosettes. They can be both quite miniature and up to 10 cm in diameter. The color of the leaves varies from gray-green to burgundy. A stone rose is suitable for decorating the slopes of an alpine hill. Looks spectacular young, growing in the cracks between the boulders.

Primrose

Primrose ( vernacular name primrose) is a perennial herbaceous plant. Its advantages: early flowering, variety of shapes and colors of flowers, pleasant smell. Primrose is undersized (height 10–30 cm), with single landing forms a small bush leathery leaves and bright inflorescences that attract bees. If you plant primroses close to each other, you get a motley carpet.

Edelweiss

In the people, the plant is also called the mountaineer. loves the sun and wild nature grows on well-lit sides of mountains. Therefore, it will adequately take a central place on the hill - its top. In summer, edelweiss will surprise you with beautiful star-shaped flowers.

How to make an alpine slide with your own hands (video)

Creeping and ground cover plants for an alpine slide

Ground cover plants are an integral component of the alpine landscape on the site. They decorate the soil and make the slopes of the hill truly alive.

For example, this:

1. Antennaria(). A low-growing plant, the peduncles of which do not rise above 15 cm. It has small leaves with a silvery tint and pubescence create a dense carpet on the ground up to 5 cm thick. Inflorescences-baskets are white, therefore cat paw can't be called bright plant eye-catching. But it is very durable!
2. periwinkle. Forms an evergreen rug that blooms from May to September with delicate blue flowers scattered among leathery small leaves. Suitable for growing under the sun and on a shady slope: the plant is unpretentious to light.
3. Alpine dwarf A low plant that forms a decorative turf that does not exceed a height of 3 cm. In May and June, inflorescences up to 15 cm appear on it, which are brushes with numerous white flowers.
4. Saxifrage. One of the most popular ground cover plants. Their flowering time is in the middle of summer, and the color of different types differs: from snow-white to maroon. He loves light, so you need to plant on the western or southern slope of the alpine hill or closer to its top.
5. Aubrieta. Covers the ground with a lush carpet. It blooms profusely throughout the spring, and during this period it is covered with pink and purple flowers. It loves sun and loamy soils, although it grows well in any soil.
6. Awl-shaped phlox. A plant 15–17 cm tall, named for its narrow and pointed leaves at the ends. The shoots are densely covered with numerous inflorescences of pink, white or lilac color. Flowering begins in May-June, and it continues in early September.

On the same hill, several types of ground cover plants coexist if they are in harmony with each other. Given their flowering time, you can make sure that the soil is covered with a bright carpet from spring to autumn.

Ground cover plants are an integral component of the alpine landscape on the site

Shrubs for alpine slides

It is not recommended to use deciduous shrubs in landscaping alpine slides, because their leaves, stuck in the cracks between the stones, are difficult to remove, and the composition will look untidy. It is better to opt for small evergreen bushes.

For example, cotoneaster horizontal whose branches grow parallel to the ground. They are decorated with small leathery leaves, which acquire a crimson color with the onset of autumn. After flowering, small red berries appear, remaining on the branches all winter and giving the cotoneaster a special charm.

An interesting solution would be to use boxwood barberry. Its bush grows no higher than 50 cm, it represents a spreading crown of numerous branches. A very unpretentious plant that tolerates frost and drought well. Loves the light, but when grown in the shade retains its decorative properties.

In landscaping alpine slides, it is better to opt for small evergreen bushes

Dwarf plants for rock garden

An alpine hill is a miniature repetition of a mountain landscape, so for naturalness, you need to use small plants. Large bushes will take up half of the composition and divert attention from other inhabitants of the rocky garden.

You can use dwarf varieties of herbaceous plants(for example, annual marigolds or alpine aster). It is desirable that their height does not exceed 30 cm. And, of course, dwarf conifers are the regulars of rock gardens: spruce, pine, etc. Thanks to them, the hill really looks like a reduced copy of the alpine relief.

Ephedra for alpine hills

To create an alpine landscape, undersized species and varieties of conifers are used:

1. dwarf firs, whose height does not exceed 60 cm. They lend themselves well to shaping and require almost no maintenance. The shape of the crown different varieties may be sprawling or pyramidal.
2. Juniper. Species look spectacular, the branches of which grow parallel to the ground. The needles of the plant often have a yellow tint, and the branches are decorated with small bumps. Juniper in the wild can be seen on the slopes of the mountains, therefore it is undemanding to the soil and grows well on stones.
3. thuja- a shrub or tree of a pyramidal shape, less often it is cut in the form of a ball.
4. Mountain pine "Pug" grows very slowly and by the age of 10 has a crown with a diameter of up to 50 cm, which allows planting a tree on an alpine hill. Green needles have a pleasant blue tint.
5. cypress: its decorative dwarf varieties will effectively decorate the rock garden slope. You can choose a bush with golden, silver or traditional dark green needles. And the Philifera cypress has hanging branches, which looks like a coniferous cascade.

Rocky composition, symbolizing mountain peak, decorated with spectacular flowering plants, has a special decorative appeal. This type of flower garden serves not only as a decoration for a backyard or summer cottage, but also gives everything landscape design special individuality, sophistication and naturalness. And if during the construction of a rock garden you were required to have certain knowledge in the field of design and construction, then when choosing plants for an alpine slide, try to show a sense of style and artistic taste. Knowledge in the field of floriculture will also be needed, because the choice must be made from plants that are characteristic of the subalpine and alpine belt, as well as from plants adapted to development in rocky and stony rocks.

Considering one more important feature- tiered planting of green spaces, the publication suggests not only the names of plants for the alpine hill, but also given short description the most suitable species and varieties. In addition, the features of planting and caring for a flower garden throughout the season are considered.

The defining feature of this type of flower garden is not only the presence of large stones and the recreation of a mountain composition, but also the fact that it consists of mixed types of green spaces and is created for a long period. And if in case not quite good choice, any species of flowering perennials, it can be replaced without any problems, then the selection of tree, coniferous and shrub species must be approached especially thoughtfully and carefully. Search ready-made solutions on the Internet is ineffective, despite the abundance of colorful photographs of attractive alpine slides. When creating an artistic composition, it is important to take into account a number of factors that are typical only for your flower garden - the climatic conditions of the area, the illumination, the size and location of the stones, the number of tiers, etc.

1. the dimensions of the selected views. The size of the rock garden and green spaces should be in proportion to each other, pay attention to compact and undersized species;
2. quantity and colors. Do not get carried away by the number of planted species and the variety of flowers, try to preserve the natural naturalness and attractiveness. To avoid excessive variegation, carefully experiment with a combination of colors;
3. need for care. Given the certain inconveniences of servicing a flower garden (height, hard-to-reach places), it is advisable to choose types of green spaces that are undemanding in care;
4. compliance with climatic conditions. It is recommended to make a choice from those flowering plants that are most adapted to the given conditions of the area;
5. flowering period. The difference between the periods of the beginning and end of flowering will provide your flower garden with attractiveness and originality throughout the season;
6. accommodating. Groups of different plants planted in close proximity should not suppress each other, but fully grow and develop;
7. landing tier. The flower beds, equipped in three tiers, look most attractive. Plants for the topmost are selected sun-loving and do not require frequent watering, perennials and bulbs are suitable for the lower tiers, which need regular watering, but are not so demanding on lighting;
8. strengthening the soil. In order to prevent erosion of the slopes, plants are planted on them that cover the soil, with a highly developed root system.

Plants for the alpine slide are perennial

The fundamental selection criteria are short stature, compactness, undemanding care and a long flowering period. Let us consider in more detail the types of perennials that have the necessary qualities, depending on the planting tier. On the highest plane, it is desirable to place low and unpretentious plants that bloom from June to late autumn. It must be taken into account that the soil high areas dries out faster, so flowers should be fairly drought tolerant.
The most common perennial plants for alpine slides are:

Iberis

The representative of the mountainous areas of Southern Europe prefers a well-lit place, rocky and sandy soil. In rock gardens, the Crimean, evergreen, Gibraltar and rocky species are more common. It is a short (15-30 cm) shrub plant with pink or white (depending on the species) inflorescences. The flowering period begins in the spring, looks especially impressive in group plantings;

carnation perennial

Refers to perennial herbs and shrubs, with leaves of a linear or linear-lanceolate shape and single delicate flowers of various colors. Decorative species are distinguished by unpretentiousness to the quality of the soil (except for acidic) and the frequency of watering, they prefer good illumination. It is recommended to plant in the upper tiers;

Thyme

Better known as thyme, the pink or lilac inflorescences of which have a pleasant spicy aroma. Creeping thyme can decorate the upper tier (up to 15 cm high), while common thyme (up to 40 cm high) is best placed in the middle part of the rock garden. Both species are quite unpretentious and do not need additional feeding. More often propagated by dividing an adult bush into separate parts, less often by cuttings and seeds;

rejuvenated

In its natural environment, it is common in mountainous and rocky areas. The plant won the love of domestic flower growers due to its special decorative appeal and the ability to grow in almost any conditions. The common name "stone rose" is fully consistent with the plant's ability to successfully develop on the rocky surface of an alpine hill. Ideal for planting on medium and lower tiers, does not need care;

Saxifrage paniculata

Graceful, low (10-15 cm) plant, ideally grows in crevices of a rocky surface. It blooms in small but attractive paniculate inflorescences of purple or pale yellow color. Differs in excellent winter hardiness, undemanding care and decorative qualities. It is recommended to plant directly at the foot of the stones or in the crevices between them;

Edelweiss alpine

A real native of the subalpine and alpine zones. It is a herbaceous plant 10-20 cm high. Perhaps the most common plant for an alpine hill, which in its qualities fully corresponds to this type of flower garden - attractive, undemanding and beautifully flowering. Inflorescences of white or yellow color form several small baskets, the flowering period begins in the second half of May.

Plants for an alpine slide with a long flowering period

By choosing plants for an alpine slide that bloom all summer, you ensure the attractiveness of the flower garden throughout the season. An abundance of representatives decorative species perennials and annuals various heights allow us to successfully solve this problem. To create a flowering background, ground cover creeping green spaces are used. We present a list of flowering plants that differ in the longest flowering period:

Arenaria

A low growing plant from the clove family. Among domestic flower growers, it is better known as a "gerbil". Low stems (10-15 cm), growing, form a continuous green carpet. Large-flowered, crimson and mountain gerbils are more often planted. All species are characterized by abundant and long flowering. Well-drained soil with sand added is preferred;

Rhodiola

Lovers often plant Rhodiola rosea - a perennial, bushy, unpretentious plant up to 40 cm high, with a well-developed root system. small flowers yellow color form a corymbose inflorescence, flowering period June-July. In addition to attractive appearance, is valued for its medicinal properties;

Marigold

Depending on distinguish annual varieties and perennial. In flower beds, undersized annuals are often planted, blooming before the first frost. They differ in general undemanding care, they develop well in open areas and in partial shade. You can plant both in separate groups, and in composition with other representatives of the flower garden;

Balkan geranium

Planted along the perimeter of the stones, growing, it forms continuous low thickets, emphasizing the originality of the rock garden. Red or purple flowers appear in June and usually last for a month. Prefers well-lit areas, can grow in partial shade, but in this case, the flowering period is reduced;

Thrift

Armeria soddy

Herbaceous low perennial, in rock gardens, lovers often plant alpine or soddy armeria. When creating favorable conditions, separately planted armeria bushes form a continuous flowering pad up to 15 cm high. The flowering period stretches up to two months;

Echinacea purpurea

A fairly tall (80-100 cm) herbaceous plant, characterized by unpretentiousness, decorative qualities and a long (up to 2 months) flowering period. It is planted at the foot of stones in small groups. Well adapted to frosty winters and undemanding to care for. Thanks to healing properties, echinacea flowers are widely used in traditional and folk medicine.

Coniferous and shrub plants for rock garden

Coniferous plants for the Alpine slide "Prickly spruce Procumbens"

Coniferous plants for an alpine slide, like shrub species, are a must, but not the main element of a flower garden. They play the role of a kind of scenery, creating signs of the naturalness of the mountain landscape, so there should not be many of them (maximum 2-3 species). The main qualities that you need to pay attention to when choosing are short stature, unpretentiousness and the correspondence of the appearance of the plant to the general idea of ​​\u200b\u200bcreating a composition.

As a rule, when creating alpine slides, they plant:

1. juniper. Under natural conditions, it prefers well-lit mountain plains. When selecting, give preference to undersized, dwarf species juniper: Golden Carpet, Blue Carpet, Blue Chip. Low evergreen plantations are particularly decorative and attractive throughout the year, undemanding to the composition of the soil and do not need special care;
2. decorative fir. Pay attention to the undersized (height of an adult tree up to 1 m, diameter 1.5 m) gray (Canadian) "Echiniformis" globular spruce. Differs in decorative effect and especially slow growth;
3. mountain pine. In rock gardens, you can often find mountain pumilio pine - a compact dwarf shrub of dwarf form. The composition of the soil is not demanding, but good drainage is necessary;
4. cotoneaster horizontal. Not thorn bush, more often planted at the foot of stones or to form slopes. Distinctive characteristics- unpretentiousness, frost resistance, ease of care;
5. Willow Boyd. It is a slow-growing small tree with a crooked trunk and small, rounded leaves. It looks especially attractive in composition with flowering ground cover or creeping coniferous species;
6. barberry boxwood (evergreen) Nana. The height of an evergreen dwarf shrub is up to 50 cm, the diameter of a dense rounded crown is up to 80 cm. It is planted as an addition to formed groups or as an accent plant over creeping juniper. It lends itself well to formative pruning, drought-resistant and frost-resistant.

The publication presents the most common types and varieties of green spaces when creating alpine slides, but you can always supplement this list with something of your own, individual. We hope that the material will be useful in creating an original decorative composition of stones, shrubs, conifers and flowering plants.