Alpines

Technically, alpine plants are plants which grow in their native territory above the treeline in high mountainous areas.  They are low growing plants which can survive extremely low temperatures throughout winter months beneath snow.

They are slow growing plants which survive in poor, well drained soil that naturally occur in crevices between rocks, keeping small to keep out of the wind.

Generally they are used in artificial rock gardens away from their natural habitat.  Any plant that stays small and grows well under the same conditions is generally sold in garden centres for the same rock style gardens.