Rock garden ideas

Alpines die of wet, not cold. Get the drainage and the stone placement right and a rock garden looks after itself for years.

AI-generated concept image

Light: Full sun
Water: Low
Upkeep: Low
Colour: Cool
Planting survives: −25 °C / −13 °F

Getting it right

Use one stone type, ideally from a local quarry, and bed each piece a third into the ground with the strata running the same way; mixed rock types are the giveaway of an amateur rock garden. Build the planting mix at roughly half sharp grit to half topsoil, then top with 40–50 mm of the same stone as chippings. Plant into the gravel rather than onto it, and keep the crown of every alpine sitting slightly proud so water always drains away from it.

Plants that work

Botanical names are given first so you can order the right plant anywhere. Heights are for mature plants in open ground.
Plant	Type	Light	Water	Height	Hardy to
HouseleekSempervivum tectorum	Succulent · Evergreen	Full sun	Low	8–15 cm	−30 °C / −22 °F
Biting stonecropSedum acre	Succulent · Evergreen	Full sun	Low	5–10 cm	−30 °C / −22 °F
White stonecropSedum album	Succulent · Evergreen	Full sun	Low	5–15 cm	−30 °C / −22 °F
Mossy saxifrageSaxifraga × arendsii	Perennial · Evergreen	Partial shade	Moderate	10–20 cm	−25 °C / −13 °F
AubretiaAubrieta deltoidea	Perennial · Semi-evergreen	Full sun	Low	10–15 cm	−25 °C / −13 °F
Maiden pinkDianthus deltoides	Perennial · Semi-evergreen	Full sun	Low	15–25 cm	−30 °C / −22 °F
Sea thriftArmeria maritima	Perennial · Evergreen	Full sun	Low	15–25 cm	−30 °C / −22 °F
Creeping thymeThymus serpyllum	Groundcover · Evergreen	Full sun	Low	5–10 cm	−30 °C / −22 °F
Wall bellflowerCampanula portenschlagiana	Perennial · Semi-evergreen	Partial shade	Low	10–20 cm	−25 °C / −13 °F
Evergreen candytuftIberis sempervirens	Perennial · Evergreen	Full sun	Low	20–30 cm	−25 °C / −13 °F
Moss phloxPhlox subulata	Groundcover · Semi-evergreen	Full sun	Low	10–15 cm	−30 °C / −22 °F
Alpine asterAster alpinus	Perennial · Deciduous	Full sun	Low	15–25 cm	−35 °C / −31 °F
Mountain pinePinus mugo	Conifer · Evergreen	Full sun	Low	1–3 m	−40 °C / −40 °F
Blue fescueFestuca glauca	Grass · Evergreen	Full sun	Low	20–30 cm	−30 °C / −22 °F