Pensteman: This varied group has many dwarf forms growing as low mounds and dwarf shrubs. The flowers are very colorful tubes. They look like small snapdragons. They are slightly large for foreground planting but produce a nice effect. Try P. davidsonii var. menziesii microphyllus, P. pinifolius, P. procerus var. tolmei, and/or P. rupicola for interest.

Phlox: For invaluable displays of bright carpets in the spring and summer, phlox are a must. They come in many colors including white, pink, lavender, blue, fuchsia, and red. The mats are moderate growing and they require a space of at least 2 feet square. If necessary, a late winter pruning will help control spread.

Potentilla verna nana: During the summer, this alpine produces small mounds of bright yellow flowers, each the size of a dime. If you want bright spots of color, plant several around the layout.

Primula: More than 300 species of this group exist. P. juliana is a very small one, producing little mats of heart shaped, toothed leaves. Several inflorescences of beautiful one inch flowers arise from them. They come in several brightly colored varieties. Primulas do best in areas with plenty of water and humidity in the summer. They also need excellent drainage. Where summers are particularly hot, you should plant them in shade.

Raoulia: This group of about two dozen species comes from Australasia. All are ground-hugging mats and grow only a fraction of an inch high. Minuscule, barely perceptible flowers peep out from between the leaves. The beauty of raoulias is their foliage. It can be blue, silver, or various shades of green or gray. The plants grow in the sun but only in gritty soil with excellent drainage. If they are likely to get very wet in the winter, put a piece of glass or plastic over them. Also, drench them with fungicide in winter and spring. They are worth every effort and when you put them next to and between the rails they look very dramatic. Depending on age and variety raoulias grow in one to three foot patches.

Rhodohypoxis: They grow into delightful clumps of four inch grasslike leaves and produce a multitude of one inch flowers all summer and into the fall if you pull the old flowers from the leaves. The plant is from South Africa and its bulb could die in cold areas. But you may grow it in pots, put the pots into the ground in spring, then remove them for protection in winter. They come in white, shades of pink, and various reds. Rhodohypoxis are very beautiful around rocks and other objects. Ours managed to survive two weeks of 14 degree temperatures but had been in the ground for two years and were under a light cover of mulch.

Saxifraga: Four distinct groups of saxifraga exist. The small "encrusted" types are easiest to grow. They produce rosettes of mostly silver leaves and produce spikes of small flowers They prefer lime soil.

Scieranthus: This plant grows into mats half an inch high and up to four feet across. S. biflorus has needle-like pale green leaves and minute green flowers. S. uniflorus is an extremely dense mat and looks like velvet. Both turn golden brown in winter.

Sedum: Many varieties and colors of sedum are available from practically any nursery. Many form mats, producing a nice effect. Be sure to ask for cold-hardy varieties if you live in such a climate. Several specialty nurseries will make suggestions for specific uses.

Selliera radicans: This plant forms a half-inch mat of fleshy stems and leaves producing several small white flowers from each leaf. It prefers damp areas and creates a "woodsy" effect.

Silene: Most are mats fairly easy to grow. They produce pink or white flowers. Each of the following has stemless or very short stemmed flowers: S. acaulis, S. acaulis dwarf Wallowa mountain form, and S. acaulis pedunculata.

Thalictrum kiusianum: It forms a loose mat of purple-green leaves producing a long display of small, fluffy lilac flowers. It needs a shady and moist but well-drained humus soil.

Thymus: This group of carpeting and erect growing plants is found in nearly every nursery in America. Many species have colorful, aromatic foliage and are useful in cooking. Most are easy to grow and many make tight carpets with great quantities of tiny flowers. I use T. serphyllum alba, T. serphyllum Elfin, and T. serphyllum minus.

Veronica: The small prostrate forms make nice mats of bright white, pink, or blue flowers in the late spring and summer. A late winter pruning will keep them healthy.

Viola verecunda yakusimanum: It is the smallest of all violets. It has quarter-inch heart shaped leaves and produces tiny white flowers with purple edges. As with most violas, it does best in semi-shady areas. This particular variety goes completely dormant in the winter and grows again in the spring from its root. It also sows a little seed when happy and the tiny mounds are easy to transplant.

Note: Never throw away an alpine that looks dead in the winter. It may only be sleeping.

The purpose of this and the previous two articles is to give you an insight into the list of "small and miniature plants" appearing without description in some publications. I have mentioned only a few of the alpines easiest to find and grow but thousands exist. I hope the information inspires you to plant a few alpines on your outdoor layout and to learn more about them. If you have questions or want to let me know how your plants are working out, please send a note.