Spring alpine pot display

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Monday, 1 July 2019 at 2:37 pm

Learn how to make a pretty spring alpine pot display, in our how-to guide.

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Just as alpines grow in unlikely crevices on mountainsides, they also enjoy the confines of containers, giving you the opportunity for lovely little displays on steps, windowsills and garden tables. In the wild, plants such as saxifrage and stonecrops (Sedum) make spreading mats, but contained in small mugs and buckets, their growth is rounded into satisfying discs of flower and foliage.

Here, we've combined sempervivum with stonecrop and saxifrage, but you could mix and match any number of alpine plants in a variety of containers, for a different display.

You Will Need

Saxifraga x arendsii
Sedum acre
Sempervivum
Small pot
Crocks
Free-draining compost or cactus compost
Horticultural grit
Slow-release fertiliser

Step 1

If using a metal bucket like ours, drill holes in the base to allow water to escape. Place a few crocks in the bottom of the bucket to improve drainage. Fill two-thirds with compost mixed with a few handfuls of grit and some slow-release fertiliser.

Step 2

Use a kitchen knife to divide larger plants like the saxifrage. This allows for more combinations in one pot.

Step 3

Plant the split saxifrage, sempervivum and sedum in the container, tilting them at an angle so they trail prettily over the rim. Top up with compost and a layer of horticultural grit, and water well.

Kevin Smith says...
Choose a vibrant container to complement the colour of your plants – it’ll add to the interest creating more overall impact. And think outside the box when selecting a pot – many household items can work a treat.