Top 5... Alpine jewels

Plant these tiny charmers in pots in sun or shade

1 Silver-leaved saxifrages A wide range of cushion and rosette plants with elongated leaves, encrusted with chalky deposits. Needs moisture and semi-shade. H: 10cm (4in), S: 15cm (6in). Tip Plant among rocks set in containers Fromrom www. pottertons.co.uk, tel: 01472 851714 2 Ramonda myconi Stiff, evergreen rosettes of leaves and blue, African violet-type flowers from late spring. Needs moisture and shade to avoid scorching. H/S: 15cm (6in). Tip Good for north-facing positions From www. edrom-nurseries. co.uk, tel: 01890 771386 3 Dianthus alpinus Mat-forming plant with narrow, dark green een leaves. Small mid-pink flowersowers from May. Likes gritty compost, mpost, plant in full sun. H: 10cm cm (4in), S: 20cm (8in). Tip Good for cascading over container edges From www. botanyplants. co.uk/mucklestone-nursery,o.uk/mucklestone-nursery, tel: el: 07714 241668 4 Delosperma nubigenum Spreading carpet of stubby, succulent, finger-like leaves. Small, bright yellow ‘daisy’ flowers from summer. Prefers sandy, well-drained compost in full sun. H: 5cm (2in), S: 30cm (12in).

Tip Good for growing in shallow pots or troughs From www. pottertons.co.uk, tel: 01472 851714 5 Armeria juniperifolia Tight buns of needle-like leaves. Pink flowers from darker buds from mid- spring. Needs well-drained compost in full sun. H: 5cm (2in), S: 10cm (4in). Tip Won’t tolerate competition from other plants From www. boundarynursery.co.uk, tel: 01487 842611