R2112 4.1-4.3 Alpines

Question 1

FIVE alpines for spring display

Answer 1

• Gentiana verna*
• Pulsatilla vulgaris*
• Draba aizoides*
• Iberis sempervirens*
• Aubretia argenteovariegata*

Question 2

FIVE alpines for summer display

Answer 2

• Saxifraga* x urbium ‘London Pride’
• Armeria maritima*
• Dianthus deltoides*
• Lithodora diffusa* ‘Heavenly Blue’
• Phlox subulata* ‘Kimono’

Question 3

Planting medium for a rockery?

Answer 3

• One part loam
• One part horticultural grit
• One part leaf mould or coir

Question 4

Name a rockery pest

Answer 4

Slugs will damage soft growth – remove by hand in the evenings or use a biological control such as Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita

Question 5

Name a rockery disease

Answer 5

Drought-tolerant alpines are prone to rot and fungal diseases if allowed to get too damp, especially in winter when they’re not in active growth

Question 6

Ingredients for Hypertufa?

Answer 6

• 1-2 parts composted bark/coir
• 1 part coarse sand or fine grit
• 1 part cement

Question 7

Suitable growing medium for alpine container?

Answer 7

• 2 parts loam
• 1 part leaf mould/composted bark
• 1 part coarse sand
• 1 part stone chippings (6-12mm diameter)

Question 8

Alpine plants suitable for growing in a scree bed?

Answer 8

• Dryas octopetala*
• Phlox subulata*
• Saxifraga* x urbium ‘London Pride’
• Dianthus alpinus* AGM
• Geum montanum* AGM

Question 9

When to plant alpines?

Answer 9

Spring or summer

Question 10

Depth/medium for top dressing alpines?

Answer 10

1.5-3cm, horticultural grit or coarse sand

Question 11

Maintenance tasks for alpines?

Answer 11

Maintain top dressing

Remove debris - …

Weed - …

Dead head - encourage flowering

Trim - above node - contain size

Divide

Protect (winter)

Check for P & D