Troughs

[Rick R.]

The only difference with his demo of the troughs and ours is that he advised brushing the contrast paint spots, rather than stippling them, which we have found gives the best looking "stone" result.
Such fun that the fishbox trough is making itself so well known across the pond. - I think the Minnesotans and Albertans were among the first there to promote it in the early 2000s. 

Us Minnesotans do prefer the stippling with a brush (some use a rag or sponge).  I do prefer the original SRGC method overall, but some in the Minnesota NARGS Chapter have come up with some other ideas, too.  See here:

http://nargs.org/smf/index.php?topic=970.0

[Helen Johnstone]

I read somewhere about lightweight troughs (maybe made out of tufa) but I havent found a supplier - any ideas?

[Maggi Young]

Troughs actually made from tufa are not something I think I have ever seen. Hard enough nowadys to find even little pieces of tufa to us e in a trough.
 Perhaps you are thinking of "hypertufa" troughs? These are made with a mixture of cement and peat to give a lighter finish and a more easily moveable trough.

For the lightest weight troughs it is hard to better those made from polystyrene, which can be effectively disguised to hide their origins and yet make an excellent long term home for everything from alpines to herbs.

I believe that lightweight resin troughs are available from some garden centres but they ted to look a bit "plasticky"!
Elmdene Patio Art used to be a good source of lightweight troughs made from a polymer resin, mixed with some crushed stone for a good finish, but I don't think these are still on the market.

[astragalus]

I wish Elmdene was still in business.  I have four of their troughs and they're absolutely wonderful.  One of them is huge and you could get "feet" to match.  This large one is extra deep and everything has done well in it.  Will post picture as soon as I locate it.

[hadacekf]

Drabas are ideal plants for troughs. 

Draba polytricha
Draba aizoides

[David Nicholson]

Very nice Franz. Can they cope with winter and summer wet please?

[ranunculus]

Superb, Franz.

[astragalus]

Picture is of my favorite trough, made by Elmdene.  Everything has done well in this trough, which I think is due to the depth (18").  Wish there was someone who could buy the formula for making these troughs and start manufacturing them again.

[hadacekf]

David,
Draba polytricha needs a moisture protection. Thanks

[David Nicholson]

Franz, many thanks.

[kindredspiritkevin]

Put my Lewisias into their own separate trough on Sunday. The rock is perforated volcanic rock. The only difficulty I have is making up acidic soil.

[astragalus]

The lewisia trough looks marvelous.  I like the dark contrasting with the shiny green of the plants.  Hope you'll photograph it in bloom.

[Graham Catlow]

I know I've shown this before but when Calceolaria 'Walter Shrimpton' is in flower I find it difficult to resist.
It goes to show that the saying 'if at first you don't succeed' is worth following as I had several attempts to get this going before I found a suitable place for it.

[ranunculus]

Wonderful, Graham.

[Maggi Young]

I know I've shown this before but when Calceolaria 'Walter Shrimpton' is in flower I find it difficult to resist.
It goes to show that the saying 'if at first you don't succeed' is worth following as I had several attempts to get this going before I found a suitable place for it.

More than worth the showing!
How do you keep the slugs and greenfly off it?