Choosing stones to create an alpine slide
When creating an alpine slide, the main task is to make it look natural, but at the same time serve as a real decoration of the site. And above all, it depends on the correct selection of stones - it is important to choose the middle ground so as not to overdo it and not turn the zest of landscape design into an ordinary garbage dump overgrown with plants.
When choosing stones for an alpine slide, it is necessary to take into account not only their appearance, but also the ability to absorb moisture, as well as the degree of strength.
Most often to create alpine slides use such breeds:
- granite;
- sandstone;
- limestone.
In addition, small rocks such as expanded clay, pebbles or crushed stone also play an important role. They fill in excess voids between large boulders or sprinkle paths, and with expanded clay they mulch the ground under the plants planted on an alpine hill.
The most durable stone for a slide is granite
The main advantage of granite is its durability. Dense and heavy stones will provide reliable support while caring for plants. In addition, it is not affected by wind and precipitation, practically does not absorb moisture and keeps its shape perfectly.
Among the shortcomings, it is possible to note the difficulty of processing granite and its installation in the case of using large boulders, since it has a lot of weight and it will not be possible for one person to build a slide from such granite.
Granite can change the acidity of the soil. Conifers and conifers grow best on a granite alpine hill. heather.
A universal stone for all plants - sandstone
Unlike granite, sandstone has a neutral reaction, thanks to which all plants grow beautifully next to it. In addition, it pairs well with other stones in a group composition. Despite its "holes", sandstone keeps its shape well.
The undoubted advantage of sandstone is the ability to plant small plants directly into the holes in the stone. They can be both naturally occurring and specially made.
One of the softest and most breathable stones is limestone
Working with limestone is a pleasure, because the stone has a soft structure, which allows you to give it any desired shape. Or, you can lay the stones in their original form, and time will do its job: wind and rain will smooth out sharp corners and form additional holes on the stone. Since limestone is good for air and moisture, moss often appears on it, giving the alpine slide the maximum naturalness.
Of the disadvantages, it is worth noting that it is not recommended to grow plants on a limestone hill that have high requirements for soil acidity.