26 January 2025
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We show you how to create a stunning alpine rockery in an easy to watch over step by footfall .
Build an alpine rockery in 10 easy steps.
Step 1. Lay the foundations
Having cleared and levelled your choose site , add a layer of bricks or rubble to cater upright drain and depart to shape your creation . Cover with old upturned greensward to preclude planting soil from hang down into the cracks .
Step 2. Cover the foundations
Firm down the turf and underwrite with a 6 - 9 in ( 15 - 22.5 cm ) layer of garden land .
Step 3. Lay the rocks
drop some time looking at your rock aggregation , think about how they will sit with each other and place your first stone . Top selection for rockery stone let in York stone , Welsh green Harlan Fisk Stone , Cotswold stone and slating Lucy Stone .
Step 4. Secure the rocks in place
Infill between the stones as they are laid , making certain each is securely in place . This will in all probability intend loosen and re - packing dirt underneath them as well as in between for stability .
Step 5. Mix your compost
With all Stone in place it ’s time to add your planting compost . rock garden demand a free draining land so use adequate parts compost and sharp sand or guts . I ’m mix some multipurpose compost with a specialist free - draining mix left over from the greenroof project covered in AG 28 August .
Step 6. Spread the compost
good deal on the compost mix across the rock garden , spreading it out and levelling with a slant or by hand as you go . Do not pack the mix .
Step 7. Set out pots ahead of planting
Check your musical arrangement by set out all sight before planting . Take eventual height and spread of each industrial plant in to account when dress out .
Step 8. Time to plant
When happy with the display , take out each industrial plant from it ’s pot , untie roots to aid establishment and flora grade with the surface , mildly firming in .
Step 9. Apply a topdressing
Topdress around the collar of each plant as they are put in the ground . With this done the rest of the surface can be chop-chop top - get dressed with a 1 in ( 2.5 cm ) layer of guts or crushed rock . Use a dust cooking pan brush on rocks to straighten out up the gritstone or decorative gravel for a neat finish .
Step 10. Water in plants
With rocks , plants and topdress in place the laborious body of work is done . Time to irrigate in , stand back and enjoy your creation .
