Tiny plants for tiny places

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 25, 17 November 1987, Page 6

Tiny plants for tiny places

A most fascinating group of small, and for the most part yery hardy little plants comprise the group loosely termed 'rock and alpines.' Both labels are somewhat misleading as in most cases rocks are not essential for the wellbeing of the plant, most will grow quite happily in a garden border, and the term 'alpines' is used nowadays to cover a wide range of small plants not all of which originate in alpine regions. Most are true perennials and will grow to flower year after year and it is from this group of plants

we find those so admirably suited to rockery conditions and those which will happily tumble over banks and walls to form a riot of colour. To name a few varieties which can be used to clothe banks or low walls; Alyssum saxtile - a mass of brilliant yellow blossom in early summer. Iberis with broad creamy white flower heads contrasts very well with most other plants, and helianthem - the rock roses come in a variety of shades of red and orange, some with attractive grey or grey green foliage. They will spread into a large flat mat which weeds will find difficult to penetrate.

The small varieties of campanula in blues and whites, thymes in variety, the colour in the foliage remains when the flowers have finished, aubretias, trailing dianthus all can be used to create brilliant effect. For hot dry positions in full sun plant varieties of alyssum, iberis, aubretia, dianthus, erinus, but this may not survive our winter up her but is lovely in summer. Helianthemums, hypericum - the low growing varieties, sedums many varieties with very attractive flowers, linum, penstemmon and all varieties of thymes. For very shaded areas use campanulas, thymes,

achillea tomentosa armeria and arabis will all spread and act as a natural mulch and a weed deterrent in between shrubs and the more upright growth. A variety of alpine plants can be shown to full advantage in a scree garden. This does not have to be a large area, even quite a small space with a few well sited rocks or large stones, and massed with blending colours of these delightful little plants with perhaps a scattering of pebbles or coarse gravel in the spaces between will provide an oasis of colour all summer long. I still remember as a very small child visiting an Cont'd on p. 10