New to Alpines - suggested reading

[Maggi Young]

Handbook of Rock Gardening by John Good? It's on the AGS Site Bookshop £2.50 for Members or £5.00 otherwise.

That is a sensible book for all round advice, David, , Lesley... good call ! "Good" call... get it? 

[tonyg]

Tony D is right about Hythe Alpines - wide variety of plants, many less common alpines.  If you are interested don't leave it too long as they are closing down the Nursery next spring.  "Time to catch up on all those missed holidays" ... a nurserymans work is never done, and a good one does not trust the neighbours with the watering

[Lesley Cox]

John Good and David Millward's book is "Alpine Plants: Ecology for Gardeners." There's a review of it up on my website (BotanicalGardening.com) and several in other places as well.

Thanks Carlo, but that's not the one. It (the one I can't remember) was published probably 10 years ago, maybe more. I'll look around and see what I can find. If I come across it, I'll be buying it.

[Lesley Cox]

I should have looked at all the replies before replying Thanks for the notes Maggi and David. I'll get onto it right away. But surely the price isn't right? I think it was first out at maybe $45NZ or something like that. Maybe I STILL need to be looking.

[David Shaw]

I always thought that the 'Handbook of Rock Gardening' was a worthwhile book, but the SRGC stock just would not sell. We inherited about five or six copies when we took over Publications and could not find one buyer at £5. We finally sold the last ones this year for something like a couple of quid.

[SueG]

Hi Sue

As another 'newbie' to alpines I'd agree that the best way is to listen to what others do and try and find out why they do something, (the bulb log articles are great for this) if you know why you can adapt it to your conditions or choose to ignore it, but above all have a go, somethings will work, some won't. Oh and every so often buy a plant just because you like it so much that you don't care how hard it is to grow!!
One of my favourite alpine books is Farrers 'The Rock Garden' it's out of date, names have changed, new plants have been introduced and all that stuff, but it is also opinionated and passionate. There's also a good second hand gardening book shop in Cumbria whoose name I'll remember shortly - they have an under £5 section which is good for picking up less perfect copies of books - Summerfield Books in Brough http://www.summerfieldbooks.com/.
I'm also with David, the SRGC is much friendlier than the AGS which sometimes seems to forget that we grow these plants for enjoyment and you can enjoy the common things just as much as the rare stuff.
Oh and do try and get to any alpine show you can - always remembering that the plants are the equivalent of the beautifully combed and washed dogs you see at Crufts - not like they are in real life    

Sue
 

[Maggi Young]

beautifully combed and washed dogs you see at Crufts - not like they are in real life

Now, Sue, Lily heard you say that... you have upset her greatly 

[Carlo]

Well that's poetic...here they call it "plant porn."

[Casalima]

Argh!! I will be in England again for a week in the second half of October, but Hythe are only open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, which are precisely the days I can't get there 

I checked my online catalogue and I have the "Collins Guide to Alpines", and from Lawrence Hills I have "Miniature Alpine Gardening". And several other venerable books on alpine and rock gardening - all in boxes, I desperately need some more bookcases!

Chloe

[SueG]

Well that's poetic...here they call it "plant porn."

I've heard some books called 'soft porn for gardeners' - same thing I guess

[Lesley Cox]

always remembering that the plants are the equivalent of the beautifully combed and washed dogs you see at Crufts - not like they are in real life    

Those plants are like the dogs at Crufts all right. We grow the ones you see at Scrufts. 

[Maggi Young]

I've heard some books called 'soft porn for gardeners' - same thing I guess

Isn't that what Alan Titchmarsh writes in his novels?

[Maggi Young]

We grow the ones you see at Scrufts

Now, here I'm thinking back to your plant of Gentiana depressa with all those flowers on it, Lesley... nothing too scruffy about that , was there?

[Lesley Cox]

You wouldn't say so Maggi if you could see it now.

[Martin Baxendale]

Chloe, if you're going to be in the Cotswolds (Chipping Campden, Hidcote etc) you won't be far from us. If you need somewhere to stay in this area when you're here, Ivi and I would be happy to put you up for a night or two. You probably have accommodation planned, but the offer's there if you need it.