Low-maintenance lovelies

1 x Phlox subulata ‘Early

Spring Lavender’

1 x Phlox douglasii ‘Crackerjack’

1 x Saxifraga (Mossy Group) ‘Apple Blossom’

1 x Scleranthus biflorus

1 x Thymus ‘Bressingham’ (thyme)

1 x Sempervivum arachnoideum ‘Rubrum’ (cobweb houseleek) 25cm-diameter zinc bowl, approx £17, from garden centres and home stores

If you often forget to water your containers, droughttolerant, easy-care alpine plants are for you.

This group of low, cushionforming plants forms a charming miniature landscape, small enough to sit on a table where the intricate detail can be easily enjoyed.

Trim the phloxes and saxifrage after flowering to leave green pools of pleasingly pattable foliage.