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This is a fantastic, mat-forming evergreen perennial with small, soft grey-green leaves that are hairy to minimise water loss from the leaf surface, making it drought tolerant.
It produces an abundance of single, four-petalled, deep reddish-purple flowers which are held in short terminal spikes and clothe the entire plant from April to May. Although it has always traditionally been used in the rock garden, it is just at home at the front of a mixed border or in a hanging basket along with other, less hardy basket plants.
It also looks stunning when allowed to cascade over low walls or other obstacles in the garden and is invaluable for adding colour to the spring garden.
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Eventual Height (?)What does this mean?
Eventual Height
You can expect the plant to somewhere within this estimate. It is given as a guide but can vary dependant on several factors such as soil quality and position. 10cm - 50cm - Flower Colour (?)What does this mean?
Flower Colour
Flowers come in a vast variety of colours from pure white to almost black. Colour can be affected by a number of factors including environment and diet. Use the photographs as a guide but expect variations.Red -
Eventual Spread (?)What does this mean?
Eventual Spread
You can expect the plant to spread somewhere within this range estimate. It is given as a guide but can vary dependant on several factors such as soil quality and position. 10cm - 50cm -
Flowering Time (?)What does this mean?
Flowering Time
A plants development is synchronised with the changing seasons and flowering is one of several changes that occur at the appropriate time of year dependent on the specific plant. While our meteorological seasons are defined by specific dates; there can be two or the weeks difference in the start and end of the horticultural 'season' between the north and south of the UK. Spring -
Foliage (?)What does this mean?
Evergreen
Plants that have leaves all year round are classified as evergreen. They can however lose leaves sporadically throughout the year.
Deciduous
Deciduous plants drop their leaves in autumn, look bare in winter and put out new leaves again in spring. Some plants such a Beech retain their dead leaves until the new spring growth.
Semi-evergreen
There are exceptions, some plant drop their leaves in cold winters but keep them if it is mild. These are classified as Semi-evergreen.
Evergreen - Position (?)What does this mean?
Full Sun
Six or more full hours of direct sunlight but don't forget to water.
Partial Shade
Two or three hours either in early morning or late evening sun. Very limited exposure to midday sun.
Dense Shade
Usually no more than two hours direct sunlight. Usually under dense trees, shurbs or in shade cast by buildings/fences etc.Full sun - Growth Rate Average to fast
- Soil pH (?)What does this mean?
Acid
Soil with a pH between 1 and 7 is classed as acid, ericaceous plants such as Rhododendrons need acid soil.
Neutral
A neutral pH which is around 7, will be suitable for most plants. Clay soils tend to be neutral.
Alkaline
Soil with a pH between 7 and 14 are refereed to as Alkaline. Chalky soil is usually Alkaline. Neutral, Alkaline -
Hardiness (?)What does this mean?
Fully Hardy
Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (to -15)
Half Hardy
Hardy throughout most of the UK (to -10)
Frost Hardy
Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of UK (to -5) Fully Hardy - Soil Type (?)What does this mean?
Chalk
Chalky or lime-rich soils may be light or heavy, largely made up of calcium carbonate and are very alkaline.
Clay
Clay soils are potentially fertile and hold a high proportion of water. They drain slowly and take longer to warm up in spring.
Loam
Loam soils are s mixture of clay, sand and silt that avoid the extremes of clay or sandy soils. Fertile, well-drained and easily worked.
Sand
Sandy soils have a low clay content, drain quickly, easy to cultivate and work. They can dry out quickly and are low in plant nutrients. Often very acidic.Chalk, Loam, Sand - Fragranced No
- Soil Moisture (?)What does this mean?
Well Drained
Well-drained soil allows water to percolate through reasonably quickly without pooling. Well drained soil can often be dry and lack nutrients.
Poorly Drained
Poorly Drained soil is usually saturated periodically during the growing season and remains wet for several days at a time. Saturated soil can deprive roots of oxygen.
Moist Well Drained
A moist well drained soil is the best of both worlds by combining high permeability with the ability to retain moisture. Adding well rotted organic matter to dry or wet soil will help improve both these characteristics.Moist Well-drained, Well-drained
Buying Alpines from Jacksons Nurseries
At Jacksons Nurseries we lightly trim back our alpines after flowering to ensure that the plants remain neat and tidy whilst in the pot. The more tender the plant the less we cut back to help protect exposed stems from winter frost. Depending on the plant variety we will then prune back further in spring once the risk of the more severe frosts is over.
As a result, depending on the time of year you buy alpines, they may not look like images showing their ‘prime time’ in flower and looking at their best.
From late autumn onwards and dependant on variety, there may be very little visible above the soil except for a few cut back dormant leaves or stems. It is perfectly normal for dormant plants to look like this from autumn onwards, they will however burst back into life in spring.
Aubrieta 'Red Cascade' (9cm)
This is a fantastic, mat-forming evergreen perennial with small, soft grey-green leaves that are hairy to minimise water loss from the leaf surface, making it drought tolerant.
It produces an abundance of single, four-petalled, deep reddish-purple flowers which are held in short terminal spikes and clothe the entire plant from April to May. Although it has always traditionally been used in the rock garden, it is just at home at the front of a mixed border or in a hanging basket along with other, less hardy basket plants.
It also looks stunning when allowed to cascade over low walls or other obstacles in the garden and is invaluable for adding colour to the spring garden.
Aubrieta Red Cascade
Aubretia
Alpine
10cm - 50cm
10cm - 50cm
- Red
Spring
Evergreen
No
Average to fast
Fully Hardy
Full sun
- Moist Well-drained
- Well-drained
- Neutral
- Alkaline
- Chalk
- Loam
- Sand
Alpines are a group of perennials that generally grow in rocky conditions at high altitudes.
As for all plants, soil preparation is time well spent. Dig over the area to be planted ensuring that the ground is free draining. If not then you may wish to either consider planting in a different spot or raising the level of the planting area by adding additional topsoil, well rotted garden compost and/or well rotted manure. Add ‘Fish, Blood and Bone’ fertiliser or a high potash fertiliser to encourage good root growth and development.
It’s always a good idea to plant a few of the same plant together, we recommend planting in 3’s or 5’s to provide a bold effect but allowing them plenty of room to develop.
By using this simple guide and a little time, alpines can make an absolutely spectacular difference to your garden.
