Garden Railroad Plant Articles

To narrow things down further, 90% of the plants you see on most garden railroads are either groundcovers or dwarf conifers, Yes there are other plants (such as my laceleaf Japanese Maples and grape hyacinth), but those are far outnumbered by the groundcovers and dwarf conifers - the mainstays of most North American garden railroads.

To make the situation even easier for most beginning garden railroaders, most of the groundcovers and conifers we use are readily available at plant nurseries or well-equipped garden supply stores each spring. And many of the groundcovers will spread in a few years to fill in the "blank spots."

Our articles highlight about thirty useful species that largely represent the "kinds" of plants most garden railroaders use, and provide principles that should help you figure out most of the rest. Articles we have so far:

• Groundcover 101 - Pros, cons, and how-too's of many different kinds of groundcover, including mulch, gravel, sedums, thymes, junipers, and more. Many photos and tips. Updated August, 2005

• Trees for Your Trains - Choosing and Cultivating Dwarf Conifers The definitive article on planning, purchasing, trimming, planting, and maintaining evergreen plants that will give your railroad life and charm all year long - October, 2006

• Inexpensive and Low-Maintenance Plants for Garden Railroads - Describes several plants I've had good luck with over the years.

• The Secret Life of Perennials Relates the "tips and tricks" I learned from my perennial-loving aunts and other relatives over the years. Since most of my garden railroad's plants are perennials, the principles apply.

• Early Spring Color for your Garden Railroad - Start learning now how to make your railroad sparkle with bright color next Spring, in time to learn the name of things while you can still see them in bloom. Includes a bonus springtime "picture-poem" you can print as a poster! - April, 2006

• Gardening Safety Tips - July, 2005

• Put a Train in your Garden-- Garden Railroading Primer for Gardeners - In case you're coming at this hobby from the plant side instead of the train side.

• "Fairy Garden Plants" Work Fine on Garden Railroads. - Our trip to a big local nursery shows that Fairy Gardens are creating a demand for the same sort of dwarf and miniature plants garden railroaders are always on the lookout for. April, 2017
  
  

As always, please contact us with questions, corrections, additions, suggestions, or for any other reason at all.

Best of luck, all,

Paul D. Race