What is it?
An alpine slide is a composition in landscape design that demonstrates a piece of a mountain landscape. Alpine slides consist of stones and flowers, and can be supplemented with shrubs, garden decorative elements, and even waterfalls.
There is another type of similar decoration in the landscape – a rock garden. But unlike a slide, it is flat. Creating an alpine garden requires an elevation and descent – that’s why it’s called a slide.
The photo shows an alpine garden on a plot
What plants can be used?
Initially, in the design of alpine gardens, mountain herbs and flowers were used, which are best suited here. But the problem is that, firstly, the soil and conditions in all areas are not suitable for their cultivation. Secondly, it is quite problematic to find seedlings or saplings of mountain species on sale, as well as to grow them from seeds.
Therefore, today in rock gardens they simply use stylistic suitable varieties: mainly low-growing ones.
Conifers
Dwarf or cushion-shaped thujas, junipers, spruces, larches. Thanks to coniferous varieties, the alpine slide at the dacha will retain its aesthetics even in winter under a layer of snow.
The photo shows a composition of coniferous plants
Flowering plants
As in a flowerbed or mixborder, flowers play an important role in the rock garden. To maintain the decorative appearance all year round, combine species that bloom in spring, summer and autumn.
Important! All plants on the alpine slide should be small in size, preferably up to 50 cm in height. Better – 20-30 cm.
- Spring. The very first decorations of the garden are snowdrops, crocuses, eranthis, anemones. In May, lilies of the valley and pansies bloom.
- Summer. From May to September, marigolds and arenarias can delight the eye with their opening buds. Also take a closer look at periwinkle, Balkan geranium, rhodiola, saxifrage.
- Autumn. In September, when some flowers are already beginning to fall asleep, others are just waking up and revealing their beauty: for example, colchicum or autumn crocus create a spring mood. Heather fits perfectly into the image of a mountain landscape, as does the shrubby cinquefoil.
Creeping
Before listing groundcover perennials, we note that conifers (certain varieties of juniper), flowering (bells, sedums) can also be creeping.
Of the groundcover plants on hills, the most common are aubrieta (small purple flowers cover the ground with a dense carpet), subulate phlox (a dense cushion with pink or lilac buds), alpine disseminated (wonderful white flowers), periwinkle (medium-sized blue, purple flowers).
What stones are suitable and where to put them?
Complex preparation is not limited to the choice of greenery: first of all, alpine slides consist of stones, which also need to be found and correctly arranged.
Tips for choosing:
- the arrangement of the slide should not include visible building elements: concrete, brick, foam blocks;
- natural It is better to select boulders from mountainous rather than steppe areas;
- Stones of the same type are used in the composition, but a combination of calibers is allowed.
The following are suitable for hills:
- Sandstone. One of the most versatile stones. Firstly, the color scheme is mostly warm and goes well with all colors. Secondly, it does not affect the acidity of the soil, so you can plant anything. Thirdly, it looks great in combination with stones in ponds.
- Granite. Large pieces of rock combined with small delicate flowers create the necessary contrast. Granite comes in different shades, from light beige to dark gray. But light colors are suitable for beginners – it is easier to create a stylish rock garden with them. Keep in mind that granite acidifies the soil, so conifers and heather will feel best in its company.
- Limestone. A soft rock that is subject to strong erosion from rain, wind, etc. Over time, limestone changes shape, becomes covered with moss and creates the most natural landscape of an artificial slide. But when destroyed, it alkalizes the soil, so it should not be adjacent to plants that prefer acidic soils.
The photo shows a boulder garden
The size and shape are selected depending on the front garden: the more spacious the area, the larger the boulders you can afford. As for the shape – the higher the top, the sharper the stones, the lower the composition – the more rounded the pieces of rock should be.
Important! When assembling an alpine slide with your own hands, adhere to the rule “from the general to the specific”. First, place the large stones, then the plants, and finally fill the voids with crushed stone or gravel.
Where is it best to place it on the site?
Most often, an alpine slide in the country is moved to the edge of the site or shifted to a corner, installing it near a fence: when choosing this option, make sure that the main slope is oriented to the south. This way, the plants located on the rock garden will always have enough sun.
Check out the selection of climbing plants for the fence.
The photo shows a rock garden by the fence
The second option is near the path. The elevated alpine flowerbed effectively emphasizes the landscape and adds dynamics to the garden area.
Option #3 is in the center of the site. Suitable for those who focus primarily on decor and prefer to sow the garden space with lawn grass. A high alpine garden surrounded by a flat lawn looks original and attracts attention. It will definitely become the main accent of the landscape.
The last option is no less interesting than the previous ones: if you have a free area or an unused corner near the house, create an alpine garden in this place.
Important! On a small plot, designers do not recommend central placement: to save space, an alpine slide can be placed near a fence, near the wall of a building, or in a corner of the territory.
What can you decorate it with?
Let’s start with the fact that slides, as a rule, look quite attractive in themselves. But if you think that stones and plants alone are not enough, you can resort to brighter accent solutions.
Light stones or sand
Snow-white pebbles or broken marble chips, as well as light sand are an ideal option for laying along the perimeter or filling voids in the composition. On a sunny day, they will literally glow in the sun, attracting attention. And even in a cloudy background, such a background pleases the eye, an alpine flowerbed in white attire looks more elegant.
Garden figurines
When buying ready-made decorations, you need to take into account the style or direction of the slide design. For example, in the classical style, plaster statues are combined with light marble chips. Wooden elements are typical for country.
The figurines are used to recreate entire plots of favorite fairy tales or cartoons.
The photo shows wooden garden figurines
Wood
In terms of naturalness, wood has no equal: it easily fits into the required plot or design of the slide. Use slabs, cuts, stumps, logs, branches for decoration.
Water
Rock gardens and ponds are like two halves of a whole. You can make a shallow pond at the base of the slide or lay out tiers for a waterfall in the slide itself. In the second case, be sure to take care of drainage so that the roots of the plants do not rot due to constant contact with water.
Advice! If you are afraid to make a real waterfall, start with a dry stream: an imitation is made from stones or plants.
How to do it yourself?
A do-it-yourself alpine slide is a reality. To recreate the mountain landscape on the site, the main thing is to strictly follow the instructions.
Step-by-step instructions
1. Choosing a location
Draw a diagram of the site, indicating static structures, the location of the cardinal directions. The slide needs a light, free area of u200bu200bthe right size – but the larger the better.
Important! The creation of the rock garden begins in the fall – only by spring will it be ready for planting.
2. Preparation
Formation of the height of the rock garden begins with drainage. First of all, the site must be leveled and tamped. Place a mixture of sand and crushed stone on the ground, forming the top in the right place, the levels of the future structure. Also tamp the drainage, fill it with soil – the composition is selected for the plants that are planned to be planted.
3. Shrinkage
At this stage, nothing needs to be done – the “blank” is left until spring, until natural deformation occurs.
4. Working with stones
Start with the largest ones, sinking them into the ground by 35-50%. Place small stones next to large ones so that they do not slide down the hill during rain or snowmelt. Create the desired composition, leaving room for greenery.
5. Planting
Plants are planted according to the same principle as stones: first large ones, then small ones. Tall bushes are moved closer to the top, low creeping ones are placed at the foot. Observe symmetry – the entire width of the slope should be decorative.
After completing the work, the new inhabitants need to be watered, and the free soil should be mulched with bark or stones. This will complete the composition and help to avoid the appearance of weeds, will facilitate further care.
Video instructions for beginners
If you are going to design an alpine zone exclusively with conifers, be sure to watch the video instruction “10 stages in creating an alpine zone from conifers”:
Care recommendations
The process of caring for an alpine flowerbed is quite simple, it can be conditionally divided by seasons, each of which has a separate list of tasks:
- Spring. Remove the covering material, repair damage, apply fertilizer. If necessary, plant annuals or bulbs.
- Summer. The main thing is to water regularly. In addition, remove weeds, clear the rock garden of fallen leaves and diseased plants, trim the bushes.
- Autumn. Dig up bulbs, plant perennials, cover plants for the winter.
- Winter. In winters with little snow, add snow yourself so that the slide retains its appearance.
Beautiful design ideas for inspiration
Having an eye for detail is a guarantee that you will be able to create a beautiful rock garden on your site. Just copy the ideas you like and recreate them.
For example, white stones do not necessarily have to be small — large boulders look no less elegant.
If there is already a slope on the site — use the advantages of the natural landscape to create a slide.
The cobblestones can be not just large, but very large – as in the photo below. Flowers look very contrasting against their background.
An unusual option is to decorate with stones. You can use cut out figures or just beautiful stones. It looks original if you put flat plates on the end.
And finally – succulents. They do not require complex care, they get along well on stones and in poor soils. Stone roses and sedums can even overwinter in the garden, recovering well with the arrival of warmth.
An alpine flowerbed is an effective decoration of the site. It is not difficult to create it – the main thing is not to be afraid to experiment!
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