Planting a shallow container

The key criteria for creating an alpine garden are plenty of peat, builder’s sand, and cement. Cover it with damp drainage holes and free-draining compost. You can adapt sacking, and then leave it to set. Carefully allocate its an old sink or a stone trough, covering it with hypertufa. Final position as the container can be extremely heavy to alternatively coat it with adhesive and apply a mix of move when it has been planted.

1 Put a layer of crocks in the bottom of the container. Then cover it with a mix of compost and coarse sand or fine gravel. At a 50:50 ratio. Add the plants.

2 Continue planting, carefully spreading out the roots. Add a generous layer of coarse sand or fine gravel around the crown of each plant for good drainage.

3 The final display with neatly displayed sempervivum, sedum, dianthus, and saxifrage

POTTED PROFUSION

LEFT: The best place to stand pots is in a bright sunny position close to the kitchen. Regular pinching of most herbs, like this trio of basils, encourages them to fill out and become bushy.

Golden marjoram (Oruganum vulgare “Variegatum”)

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Thyme (Thymus)

Oregano (Origanum vulgare)

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)

Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis)

Golden variegated sage (Salvia offcinalis “Icterina”)