TOP TIPS FOR PLANTING TIME
Plant a few choice alpine and rockery plants now, such as heathers, dianthus, mini grasses, conifers and one or two others according to their hardiness and what your local garden centre has. Of course, there’s always a risk with many alpine or rockery plants that frost or winter wet will see them off before they’ve begun! Spring will offer more of a choice, and they can be planted in better conditions to establish before next autumn and winter’s weather. When planting, consider where each plant might like to be. Think about whether there’s room to spread for a particular plant, or whether there are hotter and cooler spots for specific plants – for example, real sun-lovers won’t like it too shady. Set out all the plants where you want them in their pots. Working it all out beforehand saves any planting mistakes! Consider eventual heights and spreads. When you plant, simply loosen roots and plant level with the surface of the rockery. Firm in well. Finish off with a covering of gravel around each plant and in any nooks and crannies so the whole surface is evenly covered with a good layer. It looks great, but is also excellent at improving drainage, keeping weeds off and stopping plant foliage from languishing in wet soil.