I will comment on many plant families in Alan Bloom's book, Alpines For Your Garden, here and in the next few articles. I will address the plant families most adaptable to use on outdoor layouts and add whatever special information I have learned through experience.

Let's begin with the plants starting with "A" and go down the list.

Acaena microphylla (Blue Haze): A one inch mat of small blue foliage. It will grow in any soil, in sun, and in shade. The Blue Haze on my layout grew eight feet across in one year. You may control it with judicious pruning. The runners are easy to remove; they have very shallow roots.

Achillea (yarrow family): A. huteri and A. species are dwarf forms growing in small clumps of dark gray foliage. A. clavennae forms a spreading clump of four inch lacy gray foliage.

Aethionema (Warley Rose): A wonderful addition to any layout scene but you must replace it about every five years. Prune it after it flowers.

Allium (bulbous onion family): Many varieties have short (four inch) stems of tiny dangling flowers. I suggest A. sikkimense with blue flowers.

Alyssum saxatile: A very striking alpine with beautiful yellow flowers above gray foliage. It spreads slowly. You may prune it occasionally if necessary.

Antennaria: A low growing, tight mat. It is very effective for covering small areas. I suggest A. dioica rosea (Nyewood variety) because of its small, rose colored flowers.

Arenaria: A group of close-growing white flowered plants. It has three good subjects. A. tetraquetra is a mat of tight gray foliate. A. tetraquetra granatensis is a miniature version forming a tiny cushion. A. balearica looks very similar to a miniature baby tears but it needs partial shade and likes moisture. It is a moderate to rapid grower and makes a dramatic effect. It is not hardy in very cold climates.

Armeria (thrifts): Many good varieties of these small, clumping plants exist. The tiniest are A. caespitosa, A. caespitosa (Bevans variety), A. juniperifolia, and A. juniperifolia alba.

Artemesia: A. aescana grows a small clump of tiny rosettes with silvery-gray filigree foliage.

Astilbe: If you have a shady area with humus rich soil and you can keep it moist, astilbe are a must. The miniature forms have very small, lacy foliage, beautiful by itself. Also they have four to five inch plumes of bright colored flowers in the summer. The best varieties are A. Willie Buchanan, and the smallest of all, with only three inch plumes, A. glaberrima saxatilis. Two larger but very attractive varieties are A. Lilliput and A. perkeo. To my knowledge, they are available only from Robyn's Nest Nursery, 7802 NE 63rd. Street, Vancouver, WA 98662. They are expensive but worth having.

Aubretia: They make small mats of bright flowers particularly suited for growing over rocks and walls. A. gracilis and A. variegata are excellent choices.

Bellium minutum: Forms a mat of miniature white daisies and blooms much of the year.

Bellis perennis (Dresden China): A double, clear pink daisy with flowers in the four inch high range. They really brighten up an area.

Bolax glebaria nana: Forms a tight, slow spreading mat of green rosettes only half an inch high, making it look similar to miniature Astroturf. It has tiny yellow flowers.

Campanula: A large family able to grow in sun or part shade. Most produce bell-shaped white, blue, or purple flowers. They are creepers you may control very easily and look great over a wall or over rocks. Some small forms are C. cochlearifolia, C. cochlearifolia alba, C. cochlearifolia "Miranda", and C. pulla. They loose their leaves in the winter.

Cotula: Mat forming plants and a fantastic ground cover. They tolerate lime soil and water (such as the conditions in Southern California) very well. I use C. groveri extensively on my layout with an occasional touch of C purpasilla. It has gray-purple foliage.

Cyclamen: Species cyclamen create a spectacular display in shady areas. They have bulbs producing beautiful pink and white flowers and small, heart-shaped leaves. By selecting different species you may have some in flower most of the year. For best results, plant them at ground level and avoid covering the top with soil. They will seed the area slowly and that is a real benefit in creating a bed.

Dianthus: They are miniature carnations forming creeping mounds of dainty flowers. After several years, some varieties may spread as wide three feet. All come from a single stem. It never roots as it spreads, making pruning easy. Best varieties: D. arenarius, D. treynii, D. LaBourbrille, D. lascinata, D. petite, D. petite alba, D. simulans, and D. tiny rubies.

Unless I have otherwise noted, all alpines require excellent drainage. If that is unavailable, make a raised bed at least six inches deep using Don's Secret Soil Mix. The formula is on page 52 of the October/November 1992 OUTDOOR RAILROADER. More next time.