People generally don't like being stuck between a rock and a
hard place, but some plants don't mind at all. In some people's
eyes, these hardy plants are the real rock stars of the
gardening world. Rock and alpine plants are some of the toughest
plants in the world. They survive in an environment with little
or no soil and few nutrients. Alpine plants thrive at an
altitude of 2,000 metres, with a few species still clinging to
life at close to 3,000 metres. Because of their environment,
their growing season is short - but no less spectacular. Many
converts to rock and alpine gardening were inspired after hiking
in the mountains and coming upon a wild garden of alpine flowers
in bloom, tended only by Mother Nature. Many of them have
gravitated to the Vancouver Island Rock and Alpine Garden
Society, which was founded in Victoria almost 100 years ago. It
is the oldest alpine garden club in North America and one of the
oldest in the world. Despite the hobby's pedigree, some
neighbours may suspect rock garden enthu