Garden Harlow Carr

New Alpine Zone opens to the public at RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Come and discover plants from the roofs of the world

Offering a picture of inspirational spring beauty, the splendid new Alpine Zone at Harlow Carr will open to the public on Thursday 7 May. The central feature is the largest alpine house at any RHS garden and will provide a valuable setting for Harlow Carr’s collection of over 2000 different alpine plants. Commanding extensive views across the garden, the Hartley Botanic structure will be home to some choice specimens such as Calyptridium umbellatum, Leuzea conifera, Physoplexis comosa AGM, Dionysia, Teucrium subspinosum, Campanula betulifolia AGM, Campanula troegerae, Androsace vandellii. Impressive stone monoliths will complement the glasshouse’s 6m height.

Liz Thwaite, Head of Harlow Carr, comments, “Our new displays will offer inspiration to a wide audience, from alpine enthusiasts to school children, and will be a very valuable teaching resource. I’d like to say a huge thank you to all RHS members and Harlow Carr visitors who have donated to the fundraising appeal for the Alpine Zone’s house and landscaping, making it a reality. So far the money raised has enabled us to complete the interior rock work and planting, install surrounding pathways to the house, put in rainwater harvesting facilities, automated shading and venting to the glasshouse, install monoliths to the front of the roundel and create two raised dry stone wall beds to the front of the alpine house.”

In time, the external contemporary landscaping to the front will reflect the varied native habitats of alpines, from low level meadows to high mountain plateaux, with creative container planting ideas to the rear of the house. Comments Kaye Griffiths, who is responsible for the alpine collection, “The history of alpines in Yorkshire is a long one. Alpines have traditionally been thought of as difficult to grow but actually, with a few exceptions, the vast majority can easily be grown in domestic gardens, providing a perennial alternative to bedding plants in containers. Many of the plants on display in the Alpine area will also be on sale in the extensive display in the Plant Centre.”

An ‘All About Alpines’ day on the 7 June will feature guided walks around the house itself, with talks and demonstrations by local Alpine Garden Society members and other alpine specialists.

The new Alpine Zone sits at the top of the garden with lovely views across the new Kitchen Garden. Raised vegetable beds form the core of the veg growing area, with fruit as a new addition, including blueberries, gooseberries and cranberries. Rhubarb will be back, along with an edible hedge, cut flowers and herbs. For those interested in growing fruit and veg at home, the next Grow Your Own event at Harlow Carr is on 5 July.