A guest rant and giveaway on alpines

I am so pleased to present Friend of Rant Joseph Tychonievich. Joseph has a new position at rare plant nursery Arrowhead Alpines and wants to share his enthusiasm about alpines, as well as share some alpines!—Elizabeth

The winner will be announced Friday (tomorrow) at 10 a.m. EST.

The great garden writer Elizabeth Lawrence said “All gardeners become rock gardeners if they garden long enough.” I'm not sure that is true, but it is undeniable that all gardeners, if they garden long enough, run out of space. A taste for wonderful trees and shrubs will fill up even the largest garden in no time, as will gorgeous sweeps of perennials in the style of Piet Oudolf. That may be why so many gardeners then become rock gardeners. When your plants' mature size is measured in inches not feet, you can easily install an entire miniature landscape in the space that had been occupied by just one sprawling ornamental grass

The traditional rock garden is an elaborate affair, recreating the look and drainage of a mountain top landscape with lots of, you guessed it, rocks, but the easiest way to get into these fascinating group of plants is containers. Growing wild in small amounts of soil in crevasse of rocks, these plants are perfectly adapted to life in containers, which are a perfect way to provide them the excellent drainage they crave, and also raises them up where you can appreciate their tiny, intricate forms.

Convinced to give them a try? Well, here's your chance for a jump start. Leave a comment for a chance to win a Trough Garden Collection from Arrowhead Alpines. You'll get four rock garden plants and a dwarf shrub, perfect to plant up a tiny landscape in a trough or other container.

But be warned. Alpines are highly addictive, and once you have a little container of perfect, miniature beauty, it is a slippery slope to replacing a great chunk of your perennial boarder with a exquisite alpine meadow.

Comments

[Sandra Knauf/Greenwoman Magazine]

Yesterday when I came home and saw a squirrel had dug a hole in my alpine-filled trough (Damn squirrel! Thank you, squirrel-enabling-peanut-passing-out-neighbors!) I cursed the squirrel and thought about how that trough should be refreshed this year. (Coincidence?) Last year to get my alpine fix on I and created a bigger "garden" in a whiskey barrel. Not ideal, and, yes, perhaps a little "ghetto," but it's still cool. On my bucket list is indulging in a proper rock garden...one day.

[Kathy Harrington]

I always get rid of the rocks in my garden. An alpine garden would be the place to put them. The garden above is beautiful!

[Katrina]

Perfect for the "secret hideout" my daughter and I are building

[Sarah G.]

I would love to win this!

[Gina]

these are lovely and so inspiring!

[Clare]

I have some empty troughs to fill!
This would be a great way to get it done.

[Lisa-St. Marys ON]

That would give me an excuse to make more troughs!

[Lynn]

I'm gathering mini-accessories to build a fairy garden this year, and I've been looking for conifers and alpines that would fit the scale. This looks like just the place I've been looking for!

[Alan @ it's not work, it's gardening!]

I think we get a bit too hot in summer for most alpines here, but perhaps moving a pot to a shadier area during those months would do it? I'd love to give it a try!

[Tracey Yasi]

I'll admit it - I'm a rock hoarder and have even known to haul them away from a roadside or construction site. The challenge to create yet another new idea garden in a container? I'm all over it!

[Teri]

Though I doubt you can send one of these across the border I'm inspired non the less! Now to find a local supplier.. maybe its time I finally join the local alpine garden club!

[Laura Burtness]

I only have a few alpines, but am already addicted!

[Trina]

Perfect for my Colorado climate! Thanks for the information!

[Patrick Smith]

Trough gardens make me go wee!

[anzelina]

I love alpines! Said areas of botanical gardens are my favorite. I love how tough they are - yet so delicate.

[Heather]

Woohoo, I'm in!

[BooksInGarden]

While my in-ground garden is still a work in progress, it would be lovely to start an alpine garden. Many, many years ago, in England, a beloved aunt of mine taught my sister and me to make beautiful little garden in old chipped bowls and tureens. It was the perfect size for a child to take home and tend. To make such a garden - an alpine garden would be delightful.

[Todd]

I have made some hypertufa containers for sedums and such, and I would like to experiment more with alpines that might actually survive the humid deep south zone I garden in.

[Chris N]

I've always loved rock gardens. We put one in at work and it has become a favorite for many people. At home, I have one small area and a small trough. Would love to do another one!

[Susan in the Pink Hat]

Sign me up! I need more troughs in my life.

[Justine V.]

Count me in!!

[Jennifer Meisch]

Oooh! What fun! I am looking to redo my front bed...which we have a river rock trail going through where the yard water flows, 3 boulders and more! What great curbside fun this would be...especially with 5 little helpers at home who love to dig in the dirt (kids that is). Lol!

[Dawn]

ohhh, how well i know the addiction of which you speak. i visited arrowhead, bob, and brigitta a few years ago, and came away enlightened, newly poverty-stricken...and ecstatic beyond words. how i would love this teeny, tiny garden...*LOVE*

[Pam M]

such beautiful little plants

[Mick]

Rabbit rant - Rabbits should know that daphnes are poisonous(mine are from Arrowhead. Instead, the little varmints have to nibble in the middle of the stems and ruin the natural shape of my plants. In the spring I will post some of the pics. Alpines we go nicely in my rock garden! :)