What’s with the cool Easter Island dude hanging out at the local friendly garden centre? According to B.C.’s famed Valleybrook, veterans of many a new and neat idea, his name is Cliff. He’s hit on alpine plants because they are, he says, “they’re little, they’re tough and they’re cute!”
Sure, some are temperamental and downright fussy to grow. Rock Stars® have been specially selected, however, as solid performers – true stars waiting to entertain you. Most alpine plants are small, hunkering down among the rocks of high mountain regions for protection. There they endure drying winds, scorching sun, bitter winter cold – even hungry goats!
You don’t have to be high in the Rockies or Muskoka to grow these little beauties. In fact you don’t have to have a rockery at all! Alpines have long been grown in discarded livestock troughs or even old domestic porcelain sinks. This fits right in with modern minute urban yards – if you could come up with such a planter.
Nowadays, close to Cliff at the garden centre, you will find the modern version, cast from special concrete and with the drainage the Rock Stars® demand. Cover the holes with a piece of nylon fly-screen, add a layer of gravel then fill with very coarse, gritty soil.
Bagged cactus soil has been used, or mix your own: 50% commercial potting, soil, 25% perlite and 25% bagged compost.
Install some of Cliff’s Rock Star® friends, spread decorative gravel, perhaps add a rock or two then place on a stand in full sun.
Keep the soil damp but don’t fertilize for at least the first year. For more fun, neat tips and other information, check out the Rock Star® website.
Cool Plants for Rock Gardens™ from Valleybrook International Ventures www.rockstarplants.com
Wes Porter is a horticultural consultant and writer based in Toronto. Wes has over 40 years of experience in both temperate and tropical horticulture from three continents.
