Rock Gardening in Southcentral Alaska

Hi, Just thought I'd wade into the Alpine Forum using our new option for photos! We live in a part of Alaska that has lots of rocks and lots of alpine plants that are happy to share space in the rock garden with more tame plants. I consider most plants from zone 3-5 to do well here, although those that love moisture and cool soil do best.

I've used natural hillsides and eroded excavated spots to put in rock gardens on my property. I always leave a few of the native plants to add character to the site. This picture doesn't really exemplify that, but I thought it was a nice shot. Would you like to know what grows well in our rock gardens?

Yes pleez Weez.
I've no rock garden, but have some raised beds for alpines and a collection of sempervivums.

You know, I have to admit I'm a little unclear about what is considered "alpine". We have mountains all around us, so I always thought the things that grew on the mountainsides would be alpines, but I'm sure it includes other things. Could you clarify that for me?

I really love "hen & chickens". They are rather "ify" here, I'm afraid. Sometimes they winter kill. Sedum does quite well, however. I have what we call "rose root" growing in one of my beds. My son brought some of it down from one of the mountains in his backpack. I doesn't seem to mind the nice soil it's getting rather than shale rock and wind!

I have some saxifrag that has a pink bloom, and another similar type that has a red bloom. The pink one was given to me by a friend, but the other I stole one summer night from the local funeral home!

My rock gardens are in a sorry state now, since I haven't the heart to rip anything out. There are wild iris, chocolate lilies, several kinds of dianthus, a dwarf lupin, columbine, lady's mantle, bergenia, cranesbill, and sedum. Of course, the moss and ferns just came along for the ride. This summer I hope to dig some things up and make it all more presentable.

What other things do you raise in your alpine garden?