New beginnings...a rock garden in the Alps

[Ragged Robin]

It looks absolutely wonderful, Robin!
What is the yellow-flower-spike plant in photo #17?

Thanks Lori, glad you found the garden interesting, it's verbascum of some sort growing wild here...there are several types one taller than me 

P.S.  If that is Euphorbia cyparissias in photo #13 (or do my eyes deceive me?), a word of caution... it becomes horribly invasive after a few years even here in zone 3... shoots popping up 10' away in all directions, etc..   

It is as you say...will keep an eye on it but nothing seems to go mad here except cotoneaster horizontalis which is everywhere and now banned.  The birds like it though 

[tonyg]

So Tonyg is really a psudo name for Mountain Goat  

Lets just say I'd be more use as a guide to the high mountain flora than in the garden

That Booker chap would be more use when gardening on a cliff

[ranunculus]

Lets just say I'd be more use as a guide to the high mountain flora than in the garden

That Booker chap would be more use when gardening on a cliff

Only in the Fall, Tony ... only in the Fall! 

[tonyg]

 

[fermi de Sousa]

Robin,
thanks for the look at your garden and it's construction!
Amazing! It makes our efforts on our slightly sloping block mere child's play!
If we ever get to Switzerland (it's on the list of "100 things to do before you die") we'll be sure to drop around - and try not to drop off the edge!
cheers
fermi

[Ragged Robin]

Tony, the Colchicum montana you gave me are planted in the area createdd just below the prostrate rosemary on the slope in full sun and good drainage, I tried to plant them deep as you recommended (Alpine-Garden-03 CU)  

The Crocus Vernus are planted in the slope beside the new rock garden area in prepared holes two thirds of the way down slope (where it was possible to dig and is less steep!) in full sun and hopefully will spread? (Alpine-Garden-01)  

The Tulipa Sprengeri are planted in top of little prepared bed on wall which is more shady (Alpine-Garden-18+19) then the Galanthus in more sun and finally Narcissus bulbocodium v.conspicuus in sunny patch....I can keep and eye on them here and there is no competition so hope to enjoy the Spring display and give them a chance to multiply    

I'm planning to record those things that I have planted and hopefully will receive some advice from Members and eventually grow more 'special' Alpines in between those that I know grow with no problem as I see them all around in the wild  

All in all I feel as if I have put one step on the ladder... (not like Martin!)

Thanks for support .....

[Ragged Robin]

Fermi, whatever number out of 100 it is our slope/terrace awaits you, thanks for your comments.

[Thomas Huber]

Robin, what is the dark red Dianthus in the background of "Alpine Garden 07" ?
Do you have seeds of this plant?

[tonyg]

Thomas - it looks like Dianthus deltoides.  I grow this and can testify that a few seeds go a long way!

[cohan]

robin, wow! what a delightful spot you have
i thought i had a lot of work digging out tree roots and digging up rocks in my old rock garden--at least i dont need helicopters nor risk life and limb to garden
very wonderful to have that slope to work with, and all the lovely stone

its looking great already, and it wont be long before the garden is as magical as the place, but you should still have spots to tuck treasures in for some time 

is the stone all found in situ, or do you have to bring some in from somewhere nearby?

[maggiepie]

Robin, your garden is fantastic. You obviously don't suffer from vertigo.
I can only wonder at how many hours it has taken you to get this far.
Had to laugh at the idea of you rolling rocks down the hill with you rolling sideways, do any ever get away from you?
I really look forward to seeing more pics as the garden develops.

[Paddy Tobin]

I imagine that if a rock ran away out of control some house down the hill would be in for major damage.

Avalanche!

Paddy

[Ragged Robin]

Cohan, Helen and Paddy, I'm really pleased you all enjoyed seeing my new beginnings with my rock garden in the Alps and thank you for your enthusiastic and amusing comments 

Cohan, some of the larger rocks came from the excavation but some brought in from local mountain supply - there is rock everywhere here if you can lift it 

Helen, some of the rocks did get away but I was careful to be on the top side and only ended up slipping - I tried the pull on crampons which helped a bit but am thinking of investing in running spikes!

Paddy, we do have rock avalanches here which can pose a serious problems, especially on the mountain roads - so one is on the KV when walking 

I love the variation in the colour and form of the rocks here and have tried to use them to enhance and compliment plantings    Another plus is that butterflies and lizards think they are the best spots to have a rest and sunbathe!

[Ragged Robin]

Robin, what is the dark red Dianthus in the background of "Alpine Garden 07" ?
Do you have seeds of this plant?

Thomas, I got the dark red Dianthus from an Alpine section in a nursery and from the mat it is about 6 or so inches high and a gorgeous velvet dark red - will look for label....    Tony is probably right    I'll look and see if some seed is left - I actually broke off most of the stems after flowering  

Here is a CU of the Dianthus

[Paul T]

Cracker ofa a Dianthus Robin, and glorious garden.  The slope is just amazing.... how you keep anything on there is an accomplishment all by itself. 

Thanks for showing us your garden and it's various renovations.