How to make an alpine slide with stones with your own hands?

In the modern landscape design of a country house or cottage, it is often possible to find rock gardens that have become very popular lately. Creating a so-called alpine slide is not only a decoration of the land, but also an exciting creative work. The process of building a flower garden is quite a laborious and responsible exercise, which needs to be approached with knowledge, given the many nuances. But the result is worth it - at the end of the work you will enjoy a unique unique composition of plants rooted on stones, the flowering of which does not stop from spring to late autumn.

The Alpine Hill is one of the methods of landscape design, which is created on level ground or a small hill, mimicking with the help of stones of various sizes mountain slopes covered with dwarf shrubs and perennial flowering plants. Variations for creating an alpine flower garden are very diverse - in addition to plants, they can contain small ponds, bridges, and garden sculptures inside the composition. Very unusual and beautiful look slides, made in the form of tiers, terraces, as well as with the use of lighting in the evening and at night.

Of course, the construction of such structures requires certain design developments and experience the realization of ideas in life. Much in the appearance of the flower garden will depend on the type of stones and their shape, which will be taken as a basis. The size of the stones also play an important role.

When creating a landscape flower garden you can use simple ready-made designerschemes or resort to the help of specialists for the individual development of the project and the implementation of all necessary work.

Arrange garden landscapes can be applied using different types of rock gardens:

• Stone hill - This is the most simple to manufacture option, it needs a small elevation in the form of an earth mound and stones of various sizes, which are located in random order on this elevation. The size of the slide can be any, and the simplicity and conciseness of this design allows it to be relevant anywhere in the area;

• Flower garden using existing landscape - the flat plot or the natural natural slope is taken as the basis for building the composition. There is unlimited space for creativity here - you can decorate the equipped area with a waterfall, organize a pond, place artificial decorative elements. In the performance of this type of rock garden is quite simple, since it uses a naturally created by nature basis, to which the necessary additions are added;

• Rock garden using architectural components - this type of landscape design must be developed in such a way that it is combined with the general architectural idea of ​​the house located on the site.The structure of such an alpine slide contains clear and regular terraces, tiled borders, and walkways. To create such a project is quite difficult. It is necessary to take into account many aspects that consist not only in the selection of forms and materials, but also in the choice of the corresponding general concept of plants;

• Step terraces - for the implementation of this option, a mound with a steep slope is needed, where low walls are fixed at various levels, which serve as a support for holding the soil. The length, height and frequency of the location of such walls can be chosen any, depending on the design idea. The terrace itself may be small and narrow, or vice versa, wide and high. Plants are planted on the terrace surface, using large or mini-specimens so that they do not obscure each other and harmoniously complement the overall look of the composition;

• Rock or hill - this type of construction involves the creation of a high elevation imitating a miniature of a rock or cliff. Sometimes for the construction of such an elevation, plastic imitations of large stones are used or natural large-sized specimens are brought.The process of creating this kind of design is quite laborious, but this rock garden looks great in its finished form. Often, this type of rock garden designers use in areas where the terrain itself has a hilly landscape;

• Rockery - a type of rock garden created on a flat surface of a platform made of stones and gravel. Against the background of the general landscape, compositions with large stones mark the highest points, creating a peculiar accent that attracts attention. For this purpose, rounded boulders or limestone can be used. Often, rockeries do with a small pond. The implementation of such an idea does not require a global expenditure of effort, time and money, so this type of rock garden is very common. Rockery can be large or miniature, made literally from improvised means, taken as the basis - a large clay pot or a ceramic flowerpot, an old boat, even shoes that are unfit for use can be turned into a mini-garden that pleases the eye;

• Alpine Lawn - this kind of landscape consists of a skillful combination of small alpine hills, flat rockeries and stony hills.The most important condition is that the combination of these species should be so harmonious that it creates the impression of naturalness. For the alpine lawn a rather large surface is needed, so it is suitable only if the land area allows it. Another difficulty lies in the fact that the plants used for such a flower garden, over time, begin to compete with each other for space and stronger ones crowd out the weaker ones, while the balance of the decorative composition is lost. In addition, the weeds also actively intervene in the artificially created landscape and disrupt the general harmony even with good and regular care. And after a few years, the whole lawn has to be radically altered;

• Gravel flower garden easy enough to create and looks spectacular. On the soil covered with a protective film, gravel and large stones are placed; any garden sculpture or a fountain can become the center of the composition. Near large stones planted in a small amount of plants - most often it is perennials or evergreen coniferous dwarf species. The flower garden is decorated with lighting.If desired, the elements of the composition can easily be replaced or supplemented with other types.

A lot of ideas for creating flower beds can be gleaned from nature itself. To do this, you just need to carefully observe it in natural conditions, see the materials about the mountain flora and lowland landscapes.

Before starting work on the creation of an alpine slide, it is necessary to determine its location. It is necessary to take into account the overall plan of the garden or land, taking into account the existing trees and buildings. It is necessary to build a flower garden so that it is easily visible from any point of the plot and each side of it looks harmonious.

The most successful places for placement are considered to be:

• near the entrance to the site;

• near the entrance to the house;

• on a plot in a recreation area;

• opposite the front of the house;

• near the terrace or on the side of the house where there is a balcony.

In a garden with tall trees, it is best to choose a place for rock garden on a stretch away from the trees so that their shade does not hinder the growth of small plants.If the land is located on a slope, the best place for a flower bed will be a place on its upper part, where there is a lot of light and fresh air. For a breakdown of an alpine slide, you can choose small bushes as the best neighbor; the whole composition will look appropriate and realistic against their background.

Plants for rock garden usually choose perennial, ampelous or evergreen. Therefore, for them the optimal conditions will be the place where there is a penumbra and good air circulation. Permanent sunshine, stagnant water in the ground and frequent strong winds can adversely affect many types of vegetation.

After the place for a hill is defined, it is necessary to create the model of the future rock garden. It can be made in the form of sketches by yourself or use a ready-made design project. According to the planned sizes, the area is marked on the site, denoting the contours of the structure, as well as the locations of large significant elements.At the same time, clear geometric shapes should be avoided, since irregular shapes will look more realistic.

The technology of building an alpine flower garden implies the creation of an autonomous ecosystem, which should correspond not only to the decorative purpose, but also provide conditions for the growth and development of living plants located in it. For them, it is important that the soil has good drainage and there is no stagnation of water in it, which would lead to root decay.

To do this, follow the following algorithm works:

• remove the top layer of soil by about 20-30 centimeters;

• in the resulting pit lay out gravel, broken brick, and then well tamped, with the total thickness of the layer should be 10-15 centimeters. If the project envisages the use of large-sized stones, it is advisable to install them after the shrinkage of the soil, which occurs after three weeks in a natural way;

• the second layer is laid sand of a large fraction also to a height of 10-15 centimeters and tamp it well;

• a mixture of peat and humus is placed in a third layer, forming a platform for a flower bed. After the next natural shrinkage of the soil, you can already outline the contours of the hills and place the remaining stones. For smaller stones, it is necessary to make recesses, otherwise the impact of precipitation and wind will erode the soil under them, which will lead to the loss of their stability. Between the stones need to leave free space for placing plants.

The choice of stones depends on the design concept of the flower garden design. In the natural environment, stones have chipped and uneven surfaces, which creates a unique landscape, for which we want to recreate it in our area. Therefore, choosing a stone, it is best to give preference to limestone, shell rock, sandstone, granite and basalt rocks.

Shale rocks have a flat appearance and are well suited for creating terraces, stylized steps and edging flower garden outlines.

Rounded forms of stones are also often found in rock gardens, but they are often used to create lawns, borders, as well as in constructions using artificial reservoirs.

Sometimes it is allowed to use stylized artificial imitations of large blocks of stone. Such copies can be purchased in specialized stores, they serve for quite a long time. Their most important advantage is the absolute similarity with natural boulders. In some cases, it is actually more expedient for economic reasons to purchase such an artificial boulder than to look for the possibility of transporting a multi-ton stone specimen to the site.

In order to arrange a flower garden, we need not only landscape elements, but also living plants. Making flowers is a rather serious stage of work, since it is important to choose them in such a way that the flower garden looks interesting throughout the year.

In the warm season, the flowering of some plants should be replaced by the onset of flowering of others, and in the fall, coniferous or deciduous plants, which retain their ornamental properties up to snow care, can please the eye. Even in winter, the flower garden can please the eye - for example, juniper looks very beautiful under the snow, which will begin its flowering in early spring.

Ideas for arranging flowers in a flower garden should be as close as possible to a realistic natural environment. The main part of the plants must be drought tolerant and have leaves with pronounced decorative properties. Some plants are planted in containers in order to transfer them to the hothouse with the onset of cold weather, and in the spring to place them again in a flower garden. One of the main requirements for them is that they should not grow rapidly and be suppressed by the adjacent plantations.

For a flower bed is best to choose low-growing plants, although you can use as an accent and higher instances, but in unit quantities.

Note these color names that are traditionally used for landscape alpine slides:

• edelweiss;

• violet;

• daisy;

• saffron;

• thuja;

• juniper;

• dwarf pine;

• cypress;

• thyme;

• thyme;

• fern;

• dogwood bush;

• rock-cut alissum;

• stonecrop;

• java moss;

• fat woman;

• saxifrage;

• zinia;

• lily;

• iris.

The most important thing for ground cover flowers is timely watering, so care must be taken to ensure that the damp state of the flower bed remains constant. Often used automated watering, especially in cases where during the week you do not have the opportunity to come to the site.

For those who want to make an alpine flower garden with their own hands, this step-by-step instruction, which contains as much as possible the main steps needed to build any type model:

• First of all, the place is chosen and the contour of the future flower garden is marked;

• The drainage system and the soil are being prepared; a recess is excavated for this by removing the top layer of the soil, the layer-by-layer is filled with rubble at the beginning, and then with sand, after which it is well compacted;

• Large stones are installed at the stage of creating a drainage layer;

• The previously removed soil layer is cleared of weeds, mixed with peat and humus, and then placed on top of the drainage system. In the process of laying the soil, you can make a device of small elevations;

• Laying stones can be done only after shrinkage of all layers of drainage and soil;

• Large elements of stones should be installed on smaller stones, used as a base substrate. This is done so that when watering the stone does not change its correct position;

• After all the stones are set, they start planting. For novice decorators, it is best to first place the plants right in plastic pots at the sites of their planting, to see the entire composition as a whole, and only after choosing the most optimal arrangement option, start planting them in the ground;

• Plants are planted in the following sequence - at the very beginning they plant the largest and tallest specimens, and then smaller ones;

• After planting the plants must be watered.

A mini flower garden can be created even from scrap materials - an old car tire, barrel, earthen jar. The basic steps will be the same.

More complex designs using waterfalls or ponds create a little differently. The preparation stage will need to be supplemented with the preparation of a pit for the reservoir bowl. As a container, you can use special bowls that are sold in finished form or use an old basin or a bath that has served its time.

If your alpine slide is equipped with a pond, it must be periodically cleaned and the water replaced. In winter, the water is completely drained. With care sometimes special preparations are used that prevent the flowering of water. However, organic matter that enters the pond should not accumulate there, creating an environment for the reproduction of bacteria.

In order to alpine slide pleased with its beauty, it needs good care.

The main care guidelines are as follows:

• water a flower bed can be no more than once a day, so that an excess of moisture does not put the roots of plants rotting;

• at least once a month, plants are fed with mineral fertilizers, and it is important that nutrients get under the root system, and do not flow down the slopes of the hill to the foot;

• dead parts of plants, as well as the leaves of other plants or trees brought by the wind, must be promptly removed, as decomposing they will create a breeding ground for mold fungi, bacteria and pests;

• care must be taken to ensure that no harmful insect larvae, aphids, slugs appear on the plants, and when they appear, it is urgent to apply measures to destroy them;

• do not allow the growth of weeds - weeding should be carried out weekly;

• The location of the small gravel must be corrected with the help of a light garden rake, returning the stones to their main permanent place.

Before the arrival of the first frost alpine flower garden or rock arias needs to be prepared for wintering.

For this it is necessary to carry out the following types of work:

• heat-loving plants are dug and transferred to a closed ground or greenhouse;

• annual plants are completely removed from the soil;

• the remaining plants are covered with a special cloth of non-woven fiber, which allows the plants to overwinter and prevents them from overheating;

• it is necessary to protect the alpine hill from frost and strong wind, for which it is covered with special shields or a shelter of wicker, spruce fir branches - only the hill well sprinkled with snow is not exposed to low temperatures and atmospheric influences;

• water is drained from the reservoir, pumping electrical equipment (if any) is removed and stored at home. In the event that water cannot be drained, several rubber balls are placed in the reservoir, which will restrain the pressing force of the ice and will not allow it to break the container, which is the basis of the reservoir.

After the snow cover has come down, it is necessary to carry out the preparatory work for the flower garden to welcome the arrival of spring:

• all dead plant parts must be removed;

• check the placement and reliability of fixing stones in the soil; if necessary, “run away” stones should be strengthened or replaced;

• mulch and a fresh layer of peat with humus are added to the soil,replenishing natural losses;

• with the advent of heat, plants stored in the warmth are planted and re-fill all voids with fresh specimens.

Experienced landscape designers often share tips on arranging rock arias or alpine flower garden with beginners.

There are some secrets of skill, given that you can create a unique landscape on your site:

• When creating an object, try to break it up into several zones consisting of a hill, an inclined plane, imitation of scree, a plateau, and various transitions. Thanks to this technique, the appearance of the whole structure each time from a different angle of view will look different, and the structure itself will not get bored, because it wants to be examined and studied;

• If you use material from tires as a base, try to decorate this base so that it is not noticeable - deeply dig and cover with stones, use assembly foam and dyes, wrap with geotextiles and sprinkle with gravel;

• When planting flowers, make sure that there is no excessively motley pattern that quickly tires the eye. There may be several spots, but they look best of all separately, and not as a continuous colorful carpet;

• Choose what will become the center of the composition - it can be a dwarf tree (which will be higher than other plants), an unusual texture, a large stone, a small waterfall or a fountain, some special group of plants that attracts attention with shape or color;

• You can decorate a flower garden with anything, but better try to choose objects made from natural materials or their imitation - a wooden mill, a clay jug, a statue made of marble;

• Try to avoid artificial objects that are brightly screaming in their colors - such “beauty” does not exist in nature, therefore in your flower garden they will look like alien elements;

• In the evening and at night, various garden lamps look good. With a successful arrangement of their flower garden will look no worse than the day.

Developing your own version of a flower garden, do not be afraid to experiment, because each such creation expresses the character and mood of the person who created it.

Here are the most interesting and simple flower gardens that you can make yourself, and perhaps viewing these examples can inspire you to something your own, unlike any other options.

• This rock garden is made with the use of large stones and gravel on a flat surface - the contrast of delicate colors and strict outlines of stones creates the impression of solidity and pristine beauty.

• This version of the alpine slide is complemented by a fountain, which plays a key role in this whole harmonious composition. First glance attracts water to itself, but then I want to consider the surrounding flowers and stone ledges to the smallest details.
• This rockery, it looks like a not quite ordinary flowerbed. Attention is given here to ampelous plants, which are small in height and completely cover the soil.

• The center of attention is this clay pot, which, like a horn of plenty, pours onto the flower bed streams of beautiful plants. A skillful combination of colors and stones can achieve a special unique beauty of the whole composition.
• In this embodiment, the beauty of the stone is shown, and the plants with their fragility only emphasize its natural beauty and fundamental nature.

• The Alpine lawn is an example of how to effectively decorate your site with little expense, having done all this with your own hands and received considerable pleasure from the process itself and its result.

To create with your own hands in a common garden a living miracle in collaboration with nature itself is the most real creative expression of yourself and the feeling of belonging to some magical mystery. Try it yourself, using various workshops, and do not doubt the success!

For information on how to create your rock garden, see this video.