New beginnings...a rock garden in the Alps

[Ewelina Wajgert]

There are plenty of mountains still to climb and hospitality chez nous

I believe, I come back there.

I still have to visit Berner Oberland. It always chased me with raining weather away.
One time was beautifully I flied then by plane, I have dreamed to come down, in a minute we have landed in rainy Munich.

Perhaps you recognize on my photo your region. It is possible that on the photo links is Martigny? I have sat by one pleasant German. He has explained me all the peaks.

[Ragged Robin]

Will ask a friend who knows the mountains in the area to look at your photo, thanks for posting a wonderful image.

[Ewelina Wajgert]

The same region from valley.

Now you recognize certainly.

[Ragged Robin]

Certainly do! Quite a drop to Martigny from there on the road to Chamonix    Amazing how they cultivate the vines on such steep slopes.

[Ewelina Wajgert]

Ragged, if we are by subject Switzerland, tell me, what you make understood in the state of four languages? Do you learn at school all the languages? I have heard from J. Eschmann that German speaking speak good French but don't exist reverse relationship. What is with Italian speaking?

In any case this distinctenss has attracted me very much. I fell in love with this state so much, that I have learned at school all the languages that are in Switzerland.

[Ragged Robin]

Ewelina, English is my first language and I do speak French, since living here, and I learned a degree of Italian as a student in Italy but German is a language I only touched on at school...I think to speak and appreciate other languages is a great although I am no linguist.  Here there is a strong feeling for each of the 4 languages in the different Cantonal regions that make up the Swiss Federation and as such each Canton celebrates with ceremonies and holidays at different times - so here in French speaking Valais when everything is open German speaking Vaud, 15 minutes towards Geneva it could be closed 

[Ewelina Wajgert]

Ach, you aren't native Swiss. In any case you have choosed beautiful place to living.

[Lvandelft]

Robin, that is great to see that you made such a nice rock garden.
I am mostly impressed by the wild meadow slope, we can only dream of having a rock garden and an alpine meadow in the same garden. Just fabulous!
It's just because today I saw the new posts in this thread that I found it.
The first posts made when we were on holiday and the next series started just when we were traveling to the Discussion Weekend in Scotland.
I am glad that I found it now accidentally. It's so easy to miss new topic in this wonderful Forum.
Great to see the progress and it makes me curious how plants will have performed next spring.

[Ragged Robin]

Thanks for your encouraging comments Luit 

I have to admit it took a lot to actually lay my garden bare as I am a novice Rock Gardener amongst the Experts.  However, I am incredibly lucky that Nature, given a chance (and no strimmer), produces wonderful results on the wild slope in front of our chalet and I absolutely love it. Every day the light and weather shows a different aspect to it and it is constantly filled with surprises throughout the seasons.

My rockery is developing and, although there is nothing rare growing in it as yet, I am first of all letting the garden grow and find itself so I can encourage those plants that like it and hope it will soften into the wild slope next year.  I have sown quite a lot of seed and planted lots of bulbs and so I too am very much looking forward to the Spring. 

[Maggi Young]

Robin, never stress about rare plants... while there are some of us who are "happy" to spend our time trying to source and grow rare and difficult plants, the biggest single joy in the rock garden and alpine plant world is that there are so many gorgeous little gems that are only too happy to make your garden a beautiful home for themselves....  You already see that in the woods and meadows around your home.... you will be able to develop a garden which will be a real delight to you, over the years and I wish you good health and happiness in it!

[Ragged Robin]

Maggi, your comments and support in the creation of my fledging rock garden are really appreciated....funny how vulnerable one feels as a gardener when uncertain about what new plants require as they have, so to speak, put their faith in you!  It is therefore a great joy to see those responding under ones care and taking over the responsibility of growing in the place chosen for them.  As you say, I'm surrounded by wonderful nature in which plants and creatures thrive and my ultimate aim is to create another environment which they can enjoy and can be enjoyed by anyone who pops by 

[Maggi Young]

and can be enjoyed by anyone who pops by 

.... hmm, well, given the 55 steps to be climbed by anyone "popping" by, it is perhaps quite urgent to get this restful haven organised sooner rather than later, so the visitors have somewhere to admire as they catch their breath!

[Ragged Robin]

Will this do, Maggi?  Do pop in anytime - the kettle is at the ready...this was in early July 

[Ewelina Wajgert]

Ragged, you live in heaven!

[Maggi Young]

Ragged, you live in heaven!

Ewelina,,, there are fewer steps to heaven!! 

 Robin.... with a verandah and view like that, a garden hardly seems necessary!