Grow alpines in a strawberry pot
They’re actually far more suited to these types of containers than anything else!
Nearly every garden has a redundant strawberry pot lurking somewhere, as neither strawberries or herbs seem to grow particularly well in them due to frequent drying out. However, alpines are the perfect alternative. Alpines love a well-drained soil and although they’ll still need watering in periods of hot weather, they’ll cope far better than strawberries and make a wonderful feature.
Soil type
Ready-made, multi-purpose composts are not well suited to growing alpines, so simply make your own using the following recipe: John Innes loam-based No 1 or 2 compost mixed two parts to one with chippings or grit. This provides good aeration and plenty of nutrients. Don’t be tempted to add extra feed at this stage as this will encourage excess soft growth.
How to plant a strawberry pot
First, make sure that the drainage hole at the bottom is clear, then cover it with some broken crocks. Next, add 5cm (2in) of grit/ gravel. Then put in enough of the gritty compost to fill the pot up to just below the first layer of planting holes. Now you’re ready to plant. Poke a plant through the holes in the first layer, making sure the compost is well firmed around the rootball, then continue up to the second tier and finally the top. Plant something spectacular like a Lewisia cotyledon in the top for long flowering colour, then top off with a layer of gravel.
Some good plants to try
Here are some suggestions for summer summerflowering alpines but you can also pla plant for colour from spring through to autumn autumn, or even wonderful foliage in the winter. Campanula ‘Elizabeth Oliver’
– delightful, double, pale blue pompom flowers. Sempervivums – great to fill a whole strawberry pot. Erodium variabile ‘Bishop’s
Form’ – makes a compact bun with soft pink flowers all summer. Erodium variabile ‘Alba’ – pretty
white version of the above. Saxifraga ‘Hare Knoll Beauty’
– compact, silver-grey rosettes and spikes of bright pink flowers. Dianthus ‘Rebekah’ – red, double, fragrant flowers and blue-grey foliage.
Phlox ‘Crackerjack’ – a hanging mat covered with bright red flowers. Lewisia columbiana wallowensis
– sprays of small, soft pink flowers arise from narrow-leaved rosettes.
Aftercare
Once planted and watered, there’s little to do except to watch them grow into an ever more delightful display. Keep an eye on watering, especially during summertime, when a week without rain in warm weather will necessitate giving them a good soak. They shouldn’t need any additional feeding for the first year or so. Any food is best given using a half-strength liquid feed such as tomato food should your plants look in need of a boost. Remember when positioning your pot to make sure the base is raised off the ground to allow drainage. Occasionally rotate the pot so all plants receive some sun.
Slack Top Alpine Nursery, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire. Tel: 01422 845348, www.slacktopnurseries.co.uk. Mail order available via website.