Pendent bell flowers of chequered plummy-brown and green, with a green stripe down the centre of each petal, and pure yellow inside, are borne in groups of one to three. This slender species has stems bearing narrow whorled leaves. A plant of alpine meadows and light woodland, and well adapted to gardens in temperate regions, this sub-species of Fritillaria messanensis originally comes from Albania, Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and the Ionian islands of Greece. In common with all fritillaries this choice plant is easily grown outside in a sunny well-drained spot. ... Learn More

A rarely offered, dwarf Chinese plant which has pendent beige flowers, heavily marked and chequered in purple. It will do best in an organic, well-drained moist soil in a protected spot to thrive, or may be better suited to a pot in an alpine house. ... Learn More

This very attractive species is still extremely rare in cultivation and bears good-sized bells which are silvery-green overlaid with an attractive, repeating pattern of light red-brown chequering. Although it will do well in a shady, organic border, it may be better-suited to a pot in the alpine house. ... Learn More

Genista sagittalis, commonly known as Arrow-Jointed Broom or Winged Broom, is a low-growing, deciduous shrub native to central and southern Europe, extending into Ukraine and Anatolia. This charming plant forms a dense mat of prostrate stems that give rise to upright, winged branches, creating a unique architectural presence in the garden. The small, sparse leaves are complemented by clusters of bright yellow flowers that bloom from late spring into early summer, adding a splash of color to rock gardens and alpine settings. Its compact size and tolerance for poor soils make it an excellent cho ... Learn More

This rare and magnificent plant, which displays freely-borne dark blue flowers, is an endemic of the high Pyrenean mountains. It is usually found at altitude, often at over 7,000 feet, and invariably growing on alpine pastures in association with other plants, where it can be distinguished from its cousin, Gentiana acaulis, by its tighter habit and smaller leaves. ... Learn More

Dense terminal clusters of snow white, delicately-marked flowers open, very late in the season, on arching stems with fleshy, broadly lanceolate leaves. This completely hardy native of sub-alpine meadows in Western China is easily cultivated in any rich, well drained soil in a sunny spot and is excellent in the rock garden. ... Learn More

This is the classic alpine with sheets of the most brilliant blue starry flowers in spring. The small clumps of tufted leaves slowly spread to produce a solid cushion. Easy to grow from fresh seed. ... Learn More

The very scarce white form of the classic, normally blue, spring flower. White stars stud a prostrate carpet of tiny leaves on this rarely-seen or offered challenge for the skilful alpine plant enthusiast. ... Learn More

A seldom-seen but very easy little alpine, producing a low, shrubby, trailing mound of leathery, evergreen leaves. In late spring, shortish stems bear soft lavender-blue, shaggy daisy flowers over several weeks. This is a perfect choice for the sunny rock garden, and is also useful in an alpine troughs or gravel garden as it is drought tolerant once established. ... Learn More

Almost stemless lavender-blue powder puff flowers open on hummocks of deep green lustrous foliage made of glossy spoon-shaped leaves spreading outwards forming dense mats, giving this little beauty year round appeal. It does best in gritty, sharply drained soil, for example in a rock garden, scree bed, alpine house, or trough, as it is native to rock and scree areas in the mountains of the Mediterranean. Very few good seeds collected. ... Learn More

Stiff stems with grey leaves carry bunches of starry white, fragrant flowers excellent for cutting. This rare buddleia relative from alpine South Africa (the 'River Star'), is traditionally used to restore strength. We grow a lot here! ... Learn More

The rocky slopes and alpine meadows of the Caucasus is where these tufted and mat-forming alpines live, making a low mat of slender leaves, to 10 inches or so across, with short stems holding heads of dainty, frilly, white or pink flowers. ... Learn More

Upwards-facing, stemless yellow flowers open on completely prostrate mats of bright, shiny green leaves. This rare and lovely high alpine, comes from the mountains of the Western USA, where it grows in rocky places. It makes a slowly spreading solid carpet which completely stifles any weeds that try to grow amongst its tightly packed compact foliage. Good fertile seed is very rarely produced or offered, but we have managed to collect a few! ... Learn More

Although a close relative of the showy, modern cultivars, you would never guess. This is a tiny alpine, small enough for a trough, making a really low mat of dark green, leathery leaves, and unusually for a heuchera, the disproportionately large flowers are showy, arising in dense spikes of tubular, yellowish flowers, standing well above the mat of foliage. It is perfect for any small rockery or container but prefers very well-drained soil that must not dry out. ... Learn More

From the ramonda-like rosettes of this tiny salvia relative arise many spikes holding dark violet-blue flowers which are most attractive to butterflies. Ideal in wall, trough or rock garden, this alpine gem is seldom seen, although it is an easy plant for the rock garden or for edging in a moist border. It looks particularly good when growing in the cracks between rocks, where the roots can search for cool and moist conditions. ... Learn More