Alpines have been a favourite plant for generations of gardeners and are as popular now as ever. Historically they were used in rockeries, but they offer far more potential for today's gardens, which are generally becoming smaller. Whether planted in troughs, window boxes, raised beds or between paving, alpines offer fantastic versatiltiy and colour for nearly every month of the year. . Topics covered include: traditional and contemporary settings for growing plants; ideas for incorporating alpine plants into a new or existing garden plot; advice on planting and maintenance and information on propagation methods and facilities. There is an A-Z of over 180 fo the best alpine plants, with a useful table of flowering times. Aimed at both the beginner and the more experienced enthusiast, this essential guide contains a wealth of beautifully illustrated information