Alpine pot display

Alpine pot display

We show you how to plant up an alpine container with sempervivums, saxifrages and more.

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
At its best
At its best

Plant is not at its best in January

Plant is not at its best in February

Plant is not at its best in March

Plant is at its best in April

Plant is at its best in May

Plant is at its best in June

Plant is not at its best in July

Plant is not at its best in August

Plant is not at its best in September

Plant is not at its best in October

Plant is not at its best in November

Plant is not at its best in December

To do
To do

Do not To do in January

Do not To do in February

Do To do in March

Do To do in April

Do not To do in May

Do not To do in June

Do not To do in July

Do not To do in August

Do not To do in September

Do not To do in October

Do not To do in November

Do not To do in December

In this alpine container display, we’ve combined a variety of sun-loving succulents with bamboo stems, which some solitary bees like to nest in. Keep the pot in the driest and sunniest spot possible, and you’ll be rewarded with a stunning display of drought-tolerant plants and even a few nesting bees.

For more ways to grow alpines, check out these projects on creating a vintage container alpine display and planting up an alpine trough.

Follow these easy steps to create your own bee-friendly alpine pot display.

The dry conditions enjoyed by alpine succulents attract solitary bees such as red mason bees and leafcutters.
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You Will Need

  • Sempervivum
  • Saxifraga x canis-dalmatica
  • Saxifraga 'Elliot's Variety'
  • Alpine pinks
  • Erodium 'Bishop's Form'
  • Sedum spurium 'Purpureum'
  • Large, shallow container
  • Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
  • Horticultural grit

Total time:

Step 1

Drill drainage holes in the container if necessary, and then add a 4cm layer of horticultural grit, to aid drainage.

Alpine container - adding horticultural grit
Alpine container – adding horticultural grit

Step 2

Fill the pot two-thirds full with compost and mix thoroughly with the horticultural grit.

Alpine container - mixing compost with horticultural grit
Alpine container – mixing compost with horticultural grit

Step 3

Place the plants in the pot, adding the taller ones towards the back. Firm them well and add more compost around them to fill in any gaps. Water the container and allow to drain.

Alpine container - planting the succulents
Alpine container – planting the succulents

Step 4

Add the cut pieces of bamboo, pushing them down into the compost. Angle them to deflect any rain. Cover the compost with a mulch of more horticultural grit, and move to its final position.

Alpine container - arranging the bamboo stems
Alpine container – arranging the bamboo stems
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Kevin Smith says…

These plants will knit together to form a pretty carpet of foliage and flowers. However, split them up and pot into individual containers if the display becomes too entwined and congested, positioning them as a group instead.

Kevin Smith