Alpine Plants: High Performers at Low Altitudes Too

There's something amazing about a miniature landscape of alpine plants. Not only a unique visual feature, but an effective way to handle difficult site areas. As the name suggests, alpines are native to high-altitude climates with extreme sun and nutrient-depleted rocky soil. Some require specific environments, making them difficult.

Thankfully, many nursery options provide maximum effect with minimum maintenance. Their drought tolerance and ability to cope with poor soil suit areas with lots of sun and little water — giving a landscape that largely takes care of itself.

Alpine gardens often mix true alpines and plants benefiting from the same conditions. Vast plant choices include low-growing perennials, dwarf trees, grasses and sedges, succulents, ground covers, and bulbs. Combine different textures and colors between rock outcrops for a striking year-round alpine garden.

When planning, pick full sun without overhead trees competing for light. Good drainage is paramount; standing water around roots isn't good for alpines.

Alpine gardens vary in size and style. Options include complementing existing landscapes and filling container gardens on sunny patios.

Rock Walls

Crevices and cracks between stones in rock walls perfectly suit alpine gardens. Fill planting holes with a small amount of soil (ensuring free drainage) and top-dress with gravel.

Choose trailing varieties in small pots (4-inch perfect) for easy installation and maximum effect. Artemisia schmidtiana 'Nana' (delicate silvery foliage creeping over walls in mounds) and Aubrieta (prolific bright purple blooms spring and fall) are favorite trailing alpines.

Custom-Built Features

If space allows, create unique alpine gardens with leftover landscape materials.

This Wisley Garden alpine garden in England has stone slabs set on end — perfect growing environment. Elevated landscape lets intricate plant details be fully appreciated, and maintenance is easier. Imposing stone scale acts as effective backdrop, giving a naturalized mountainscape impression. Great way to repurpose leftover paving stones after building a patio.

Planting in Containers

Versatile solution for alpine gardens (especially small spaces). Easily obtain sufficient drainage and select container size/style for your configuration. Stunning displays from combining potted alpines or mixing varieties in a single container. Classic or modern aesthetics equally benefit from contrasting colors and textures.

Ensure pots have drainage holes; add bottom layer (couple inches) of rubble, stone chips, broken pot pieces for optimal drainage. Add several small plants, top-dress with gravel, done.

Pay attention to growth rate before selecting sites. Vigorous growers like Sedum rupestre 'Angelina' (shown) are better used alone in containers to prevent overtaking neighbors.

The contrast of intricate, brightly colored foliage and clean modern lines of the bowl makes this arrangement right at home in modern landscapes or patio gardens.

Many Sempervivum varieties (popular succulent alpines in vast color/size arrays) are better behaved for mixed container arrangements. Manageable growth rate creates a carpet effect across container surfaces. Mix varieties with different-size rosettes for undulating surfaces that come alive with summer blooms.

Green Roofs

Alpine plants perfectly suit green roofs due to drought tolerance and low stature. Sedum varieties (shown) vary greatly in texture and color, creating detailed carpets adding interest to static surfaces.

Hypertufa Troughs

A hypertufa trough (shown) is another great miniature alpine landscape option. Appearance of stone but weighs less — constructed from concrete and perlite. Rustic texture emulates natural alpine environment and allows suitable drainage.

Troughs can be purchased premade at garden centers or easily constructed following online instructions.