New beginnings...a rock garden in the Alps

[cohan]

Robin, Ian often pictures the driveway in his Bulb Log, though perhaps before the Dianthus is in flower, since it is later and he mostly pictures the bulbs and geraniums...... I'll have a search if poss.
Pics here of west drive with geraniums http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2009Jul081247060860BULB_LOG__2709.pdf
Dianthus are mostly in east drive, now I think about it!..... .... you can see a few of the Dianthus just beginning in the pic of that further on in that log. 

rboin, i agree, the dianthus is a wonderful colour...
maggi--a treat to see your drive and some of the bulb log---i just dont have time to see everything on the forum, and the bulb log is one spot i just havent visited..will have to rectify that--probably over the winter when i need a break from seeing snow

[Maggi Young]

Just as well you have a lot of snow then, Cohan.... the bulb log started in 2003 and has appeared every week since then! 

[cohan]

Just as well you have a lot of snow then, Cohan.... the bulb log started in 2003 and has appeared every week since then! 

lol--no promises i will catch up completely heck--i' still have thousands of my own pics of this summer in various stages of editing/sorting 

[Maggi Young]

author=cohan link=topic=3952.msg112210#msg112210 date=1254418754]
lol--no promises i will catch up completely heck--i' still have thousands of my own pics of this summer in various stages of editing/sorting  

Wow, it's gonna  to be a busy winter!!  

[cohan]

lol--no promises i will catch up completely heck--i' still have thousands of my own pics of this summer in various stages of editing/sorting 
[/ quote]

Wow, it's gonna  to be a busy winter!! 

that it is! and it may be starting soon: supposed to be rain maybe changing to snow tonight, and possibly a couple of cm tomorrow; flurries possible on wed again...
after 32C not long ago (a week?) tomorrow's high is 1, though normal is 15..
this is when you remember that besides being northish, we are at nearly 1000m...

[tonyg]

Just this week these Colchicum montanum flowered in a new raised bed here.  Sisters to the plants you have Robin, planted out only recently ..... have you checked yours today?

[Ragged Robin]

OOooo they are gorgeous, Tony, not yesterday but will go and have a closer look to see any noses poking up!  Trouble is we have had sun, sun, sun....an no rain but I have watered like rain, although not the same I know.

Yesterday bought load more bulbs to plant so busy all day I think 

Thanks for your proof things to come 

[maggiepie]

Maggi, your driveway is utterly delightful. What a fantastic use of geraniums.

[Paul T]

Thomas,

The Dianthus deltoides comes in shades from white through to pinks and reds, some with darker eyes etc.  I have whites and pinks here, having lost my darker ones.  I know that Lesley had a variety called "Steriker" which was a dark red.  I think I have the name right?  I've posted pics of mine before and had people confirm at the time that it was deltoides and that I haven't got something here under the wrong name (which happens so often here in Aus unless you're buying from specialists)!  

[Katherine J]

Robin, You are living in a wonderful place! Alpine gardening there could be full of satisfaction. Thank You for this marvellous thread! I must see a map  ... Are You far from the Lower Engadine?

[Ragged Robin]

Hi Kata, so glad you are enjoying this thread.  Starting an Alpine rock garden from scratch is quite a challenge and I take a lot of inspiration from the Forum 

Valais is a really lovely part of French speaking Switzerland which is not so well known as the German part but has so much to offer in walking and Alpine flora and fauna amongst other things. 

Looking up Lower Engadine on the map I see it is quite a distance from me - we are near Martigny up at 1200 metres and it is the the most South Westerly point of Switzerland bordering with France (Chamonix) and Italy (Grand St Bernard tunnel) The map attached shows you the distance, I would imagine it's 5+ hours but good route and train links from St Moritz or Chur.  If you are ever this way drop me a PM 

[Katherine J]

Thanks Robin. Yes it's quite a distance. We "used" to go to the Ortles (Italy) which has became one of our favourite alpine-hunting places, and I thought I could see You and Your garden one day. Maybe, on a looong summer day.

[Ewelina Wajgert]

we are near Martigny up at 1200 metres

Oh, Ragged, you have  aroused jealousy at me. Now I have before one's eyes this way from Col de la Froclaz to Martigny and these slops overgrowed by grapevine, Rhone Valley and the Barrage de Mauvoisin - the most beautiful place in the Alps.

I envy you, that you have all these places so close.

I thought very long, where in Valais you make your photos but you have given this secret at last away.

[Ragged Robin]

I thought I could see You and Your garden one day. Maybe, on a looong summer day.

Kata, anytime you have a chance we would be delighted to see you here!

[Ragged Robin]

Now I have before one's eyes this way from Col de la Froclaz to Martigny and these slops overgrowed by grapevine, Rhone Valley and the Barrage de Mauvoisin - the most beautiful place in the Alps.

Ewelina, yes it is as you describe - so many lovely and endless places to explore.  I'm glad you like this area, maybe one day you will come back here?  There are plenty of mountains still to climb and hospitality chez nous