Firstly, I trust that the bowl has drainage? I would tend to plant the bowl up with just the one genus and saxifrages would be a great idea. Otherwise Sempervivums and Sedums would make an interesting display. Completely different could be some of the small Campanulas.

Yes it does, Bulbaholic. Thanks for the advice. I was thinking that campanulas could get quite tall.

Hi Somharlie. Its tough to decide when you can only have three isn’t it? I have a Sedum pachyclados which is evergreen with very pretty neat rosettes and flowers early autumn, which I love. And how about a miniature Hosta..Frosted Mouse Ears is gorgeous. Then you’ll have interest for most of the year.

You might even squeeze a little Hepatica in for early spring!

Thanks, Cottagekarer. It is difficult. I actually had a lovely sedum in my back garden but am sure that it died off last year. I cannot remember seeing it recently. It was in a patch that was probably too wet for it. It produces lovely flowers of lilac and yellow, I think. But those may be an idea for the pot.

I had not heard of Hepatica but had a wee look online and those are gorgeous little plants. Thank you for that.

You’re welcome! ? for more ideas, have a look at Bjs pages, or goypedia ‘Alpines’. Just click on A at the bottom of any page. But Brian (Bjs) is a specialist in Alpines. You’ll see some beauties on his photos.

Some campanulas can be tall thugs, S, but others, much nicer, are very low growing.

Very true, I have a Campanula called G.F. Wilson that is very dainty. :)

I popped into the local garden centre yesterday and they have a decent selection of the most common alpines. Many saxifragas but no hepatica. I am wondering if it does not do well up here?

I'll see if I can find Bj's page. Oh, I found it. Thanks for that.

I thought I had enough gravel but have just discovered that I will need some of that too. Pest!

Hepaticas are woodland 'buttercups', sort of. They are lovely little plants and do very well indeed in Scotland, particularly in the west. They are still in flower now, for me, but are not a typical garden centre plant.

I did have a look for them but could not find them. It is a pity. Online I found them for around £10 plus £6 delivery. So, it didn't seem to make sense to buy a single plant.

However, I got a saxifraga, a Hutchinsia alpina, a sempervivum and an aubretia. I wasn't too keen on the aubretia but other forces were at work and made me buy it!

I'll see if I can stick a photo of the completed bowl in the top post.

The bowl looks nice, Somhairie. If you take a fancy to hepaticas you could look at the Japanese varieties, however, you would need to add a zero plus some more to the price you have!

Gasp! Really? I think I may stick with my cheapos! :)

Lol...no Hepaticas then! It looks good Somhairlie. Alpines are easy to find in the big GC’s and I often buy them there too because they are so inexpensive. Some of them are very vigorous. Enjoy! Btw, I got my lovely little campanula in a GC, so its always worth a good root around those Alpine tables!