How can I make an alpine meadow?
Q How do I create an alpine meadow like RHS Garden Wisley? Mr G T Clarke, Saxmundham, Suffolk
A The magnificent alpine meadow at Wisley benefits from some natural advantages. The main one is the soil is naturally infertile sand that restricts the growth of rank grasses, which always have a tendency to out-compete wildflowers.
The site also benefits from natural springs, which create moist conditions that some of the dwarf daffodils prefer. Wisley’s amazing springtime display is dominated by hoop petticoat daffodils ( Narcissus bulbocodium), but there are some dog’s tooth violets ( Erythronium dens-canis) and the cyclamen-flowered daffodil ( Narcissus cyclamineus). The latter is unusual among daffodils as it does best in an acid soil and needs plenty of moisture. Later in the summer, hardy marsh orchids (dactylorhiza) come into their own together with many commonplace, but nevertheless charming, wildflowers, including pretty vetches and buttercup species. The grasses are left to grow each year until late August or early September. This allows the flowers to self-seed and also benefits the grassfeeding caterpillars of meadow butterf lies and other insects. Just some of the butterflies that occur in this area include meadow browns, gatekeepers, small skippers, large skippers, small heaths and ringlets. Once cut, the grass is removed so it does not have a chance to rot down and return nutrients to the soil.
The obvious place for the home gardener to create an alpine meadow is from an area of lawn. Wait until autumn to plant bulbs and allow the lawn to grow. During summer don’t feed or use weedkiller. Cut back the grass and remove the clippings in late summer.
Plant bulbs with a bulb planter, or lift squares of turf, fork over the soil and place the bulbs before returning the turf. Don’t spread the bulbs too thinly. Plant 5-7.5cm (2-3in) apart but in groups. Over time, if the conditions are suitable, the bulbs will self-seed and spread out from the original clumps.
Hardy orchids aren’t cheap, but one or two in a small meadow will be a start and they will self-seed. Erythronium denscanis is often poor from tubers bought in autumn, so a better option is to buy potted plants in the spring and plant out.