We create an alpine slide ourselves

The Alpine slide is such a beautiful element of landscape design that it has not lost its position for several years. Plants in combination with stones, streams, waterfalls or ponds look good on a site of any size. But keep in mind that the composition must fit into the overall landscape.

Collecting stones

It’s good when the slide has 3 - 5 tiers, so choose stones of different sizes and shapes.

Which ones exactly?

Porous tuff or limestone are ideal; plants can easily take root on them. Pebbles cover the ground between plants. Boulders are only suitable for a large rock slide. Artificial stone is not desirable at all.

Where can I get them?

You can order from specialized companies via the Internet. In the city, you can buy landscape stone at the Rolling Stone natural stone salon. Price from 7500 to 20000 rubles. per ton (depending on the stone). Do you want it cheaper or free? Look for it on the banks of the Tom River in the Kolarovo area.

We give the correct shape

SLIDE

Dig a 30-40 cm depression in the area. Its bottom should be covered with 10 cm of broken brick or gravel drainage. The next layer is 10 cm of sand (spill with water for shrinkage). On top is a layer of fertile soil. It is advisable to carry out further work only after 2 weeks, when the layers have “settled down”. The optimal height of the rock garden is 1 meter. During this time, the rock garden can be treated with herbicides to prevent weeds.

PLATEAU

This is a flower bed with an emphasis on stones and tall plants. Deepen the stones one-third to one-half into the soil.
Leave space between them to allow for planting. Fill these gaps with additional fertile soil. Plant the plants.

SLOPE

It is easiest to make such a rock garden “natural”. But this can be achieved with uneven terrain of the site. Lay out the stones in the form of a ladder. Sometimes it is additionally necessary to strengthen the slope at the back with pillars (preferably concrete or metal). Plant flowers between the “steps”.

SELECTING PLANTS

The main plants of the rock garden are ground cover perennials. They form cushions and turf:
Soddy saxifrage; aubrieta deltoid. Look good on an alpine hill: dwarf coniferous plants, low-growing deciduous shrubs, miniature bulbous plants, cereals and some annuals. Fits perfectly into the rock garden : evening primrose missouri, aubrietta, iberis, phlox, arabis caucasian, sedum and creeping thyme. A special charm will be added to the alpine hill : blue Carpathian bells blooming in summer in combination with pink false sedum. Bluebells grow in compact bushes strewn with flowers, and sedum forms mats that bloom pink at the same time as the bluebell. Various junipers, unpretentious thujas, and pea-bearing cypress trees will certainly find their place. Climbing plants drape well on the slopes: ivy, lichen, and tenacious. The most beautiful, good for the top of a hill or slope: alpine edelweiss, evergreen iberis, sedum, pinnate carnation, primrose. Ornamental shrubs (good for large rock gardens): juniper, Japanese quince, purple barberry, rhododendrons. Evergreens (decorate the garden all year round) : bergenia, periwinkle, dwarf conifers.

Plants should not require constant pruning and covering for the winter. With the right selection, they will bloom from spring to late autumn. And conifers are pleasing to the eye all year round.

ADVICE OF EXPERTS

Decorate the rock garden with a pond and paths

It is better if the slide is located in an open sunny place. Do not use construction sand: it contains a lot of clay particles, and they make it difficult for moisture to penetrate. If you lay tile paths inside the rocky garden, you will be able to admire the blooming flowers up close. Artificial ponds greatly decorate rock gardens. They are easy to build using film or a cemented pit. Plant moisture-loving plants along the banks (yellow iris, bergenia, trollius, tradescantia).