How to plant alpines – the little rock stars of your garden

Spring is the perfect time to start planting alpines in your garden.  From the rocky hills, straight to your outdoor space, these compact little rock stars take up little room and are perfectly suited to rockeries, patio pots and troughs, or in your flowers. 

You may think that alpine plants are hard to grow due to their native hilly habitats. They are very easy to grow in a UK garden and are low maintenance, so perfect for beginners too.  Alpines provide year-round interest, have a long growing season, feature evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage, and display small but vibrant flowers. They can survive cold winters if the drainage is good, too.

Alpine flowers also serve as havens for insects, bees, and butterflies so creating a dedicated area or container with bee-friendly plants can significantly aid in reversing the decline of pollinators.   With a wide range to choose from, offering spectacular colour or foliage interest, British Garden Centres have put together the top picks from the alpine range that will prove to be a showstopper in your garden! 

Aubretia: Aubrieta is a great alpine plant for UK gardens because it’s tough and can handle our unpredictable weather, even the cold snaps we get. It grows well in most garden soil, especially rocky areas or on slopes where water drains easily. In spring, it bursts into a carpet of colourful flowers and stays green all year round. Bees love their flowers, and you can plant them in many places, like rock gardens, flower beds, or even pots.

Armeria maritima: Also known as Sea Thrift, Armeria is a fantastic plant in alpine gardens, especially those near the coast, because it’s native and extremely hardy, easily handling the UK’s varied weather and salty winds. This easy-care plant forms neat clumps of grassy foliage and produces pretty, globe-shaped flowers in pink, white, or red, adding a touch of colour wherever planted. It’s a versatile little plant, thriving in rock gardens, borders, and containers, and its flowers attract bees, making it a valuable addition to any outdoor setting.

Dianthus: Dianthus is an excellent addition to alpine gardens because they are hardy to harsh and thrive in well-drained, rocky soils and fluctuating temperatures. Their compact growth habit suits the crevices and rockeries of UK gardens, and they are perfect for beginners as they can withstand cold and frost. They also have vibrant, fragrant flowers that bring a splash of colour to garden borders or containers while attracting pollinating insects galore.

Iberis sempervirens: Also known as Evergreen Candytuft, this alpine is a fantastic addition and boasts year-round green foliage and a stunning spring display of white flowers. It is low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established and ideal for borders, rock gardens, edging, and cascading over walls or containers.

Lewisia: With its pastel flowers, this is a perfect alpine choice for UK gardens as it is naturally suited to cooler temperatures and can handle the UK’s variable weather. The attractive, rosette-shaped foliage provides year-round interest, while the long-lasting flowers in a variety of vibrant colours add a delightful touch to rock gardens and alpine-inspired areas.

Lithodora: With its striking blue flowers, this is a fantastic choice for gardens that want an alpine look. This low-growing plant thrives in well-drained soil and is adaptable to the UK’s often damp climate. Its spreading habit makes it ideal for ground cover, and its hardiness makes it an easy-to-grow addition for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.

Saxifrage: Saxifrages are a neat and showy group of plants, often found thriving in alpine environments. They flourish in more sunlight, and their typically low-growing, mat-forming habit makes them excellent ground cover options in the garden, especially well-suited for rock gardens. These plants are loved for their star-shaped flowers, which can bloom from the springtime through to the autumn months.

Sempervivums: Providing both texture and shape, sempervivums are more commonly known as houseleeks and are the ultimate low-maintenance, high-impact plants that are perfect for any alpine garden.  These tough little beauties are incredibly hardy and can handle both sun and cold weather, and they’re perfectly content in any soil. Their rosette shape and architectural form add a touch of charm, and once established, they practically look after themselves.

Julian Palphramand, Head of Plants at British Garden Centres, said: “Alpines are the perfect choice for your garden this spring as they are hardy, low-maintenance, and thrive in the UK weather. From beginner-friendly options to advanced care tips, at your local British Garden Centre, you’ll find everything you need to create a stunning alpine display that thrives year-round.”

British Garden Centres (BGC) is the UK’s largest family-owned garden centre group with 72 centres around the country. The group is owned and led by The Stubbs family, who also own and operate Woodthorpe Leisure Park in Lincolnshire.