What is a rock garden plant?
Rock garden plants are closely related to alpines ,being morphologically similar, yet they do not originate from the high mountain environment. They naturally occur below the alpine zone, in that lower ecological zone where trees are present. The plant diversity of what is known as the subalpine zone is greater, comprising a higher number of species. Soils are more developed and generally richer which ,together with a milder climate, allow to sustain such a high diversity. For the rock gardener, these plants are more easily adapted to the garden since it is relatively easier to replicate the life conditions of the subalpine zone as opposed to those of the neighbouring alpine zone . In fact, plants that are found in nurseries sold as rock garden plants are often originated from subalpine environments and lower. Nurseries have more ease producing them, and when transplanted to conventional gardens they will generally not be faced with a fatal transplanting shock. Nevertheless one must be
