Alpines in a greenhouse.

I want to create an alpine garden in my greenhouse, it only gets the morning sun so is in the shade for hotter parts of any day. I already have a few Auriculas any other suggestions for ones that are particularly nice would be really appreciated as there are so many to choose from. I do like the tiny dianthus as well. Would I get many 'pests' if they are inside?

 

If you like Auriculas then you could try Primula allionii. They do not grow well outside and like the protection of a roof over their heads.
Saxifrages of the porophyllum type are good as well.
I do not get more pests inside than on the ones outside, except for molluscs which are a constant problem. I also protect my plants against vine weevil, as you have to do with any pot plant.

 

Out of interest, do you mean to build a rock garden in your greenhouse or just to have a plunge type bed?

 

I was thinking of some troughs of some kind? not sure what as yet. The greenhouse is small it is 6' x 4' but all the staging is now empty. I used to have cactus & succulents but I can't grow them here, they never flower and hardly show any growth at all so I am giving them up and trying alpines instead. Any suggestions on troughs etc? I know people use belfast/butler sinks to grow these in but I don't want to put anything really heavy on the aluminium staging.

 

Even the light weight troughs which you can buy a pretty heavy when filled with compost. I would be more inclined to grow things in pots, just stood on the staging.

 

Yes this is the obvious thing to do but they look so nice grouped together! I looked up Primula allionii really nice thank you for that!!

 

They do take some looking after. You have to water from below as the leaves do not like to get wet. Then you have to spend hours removing the dead flowers as they rot and cause Botrytis. Finally, in November and February, you have to spend just as long removing all the dead leaves which are sticky. Not easy plants, but very pretty.

 

If you water from below how do people grow them outside? Oh no not more deadheading I also grow a lot of violas and these take some keeping up with, You can grow Auriculas outside though can't you? Troughs are not an option now, the ones I really like would weigh a ton so separate pots it would have to be if I grow them inside.

 

You don't grow P.allionii outside. The originate from inside limestone cave mouths in Italian mountains and they never get rained on. But if you really want something hard try Dionysias!
The only reason for growing Auriculas indoors is to stop the farina on the flowers from being disturbed by rain. They are as tough as old boots. I have a fair number of the Border types on the rock garden outside.
You did mention Dianthus, if you can get hold of D echinaceus then give that a go. Also look out for D. arpadianus and microlepis. All three make superb cushions when grown in a pot.

 

Thanks so much for all those suggestions, will give me something to look for while the weather is horrid.

 

If you like yellow flowers then try some of the Draba, like mollisima and longisliqua. They make really nice well flowered plants when grown properly. We have a lovely big one with a hole in the middle where one of the cats stood on it.

 

These are my alpines being grown in a greenhouse. I landscaped inside and planting still to be finished yet.