Best alpines

WHEN you think of alpine plants, it might seem like one of those niche, exclusive horticultural clubs, requiring lots of expertise, probably a greenhouse or a rockery and specialist composts. Certainly, there are some more delicate specimens that you might see in collections at botanical gardens. These are usually displayed in scaled-down versions of alpine landscapes in dedicated glasshouses.

However, this doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy alpines in your garden. Don’t be deceived by the often small, jewel-like flowers and shiny, sometimes succulent foliage. Many are tough, hardy plants that originate in rocky and mountainous conditions often at high altitude and exposed sites with extreme temperatures and little water.

Great choice for the garden

It’s these challenging growing conditions that make alpines a great choice for the garden. Whether you are looking for unusual container displays, something to fill a gap at