Alpine Plants of North America

by Nicholls, Graham

• ISBN13: 9780881925487
• ISBN10: 0881925489
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-10-06
• Publisher: Timber Pr

Summary

This is the first comprehensive pictorial look at the American mountain flora from the southernmost Rocky Mountains to the Brooks Range of Alaska. Approximately 650 species in 54 genera are discussed, with many subspecies, varieties, and hybrids also described. Intended to be as useful for the gardener as the traveler, each entry concludes with a discussion of propagation and cultivation information, as well as warnings about pertinent pests and diseases. The 495 color photographs are not only lovely but they also give the reader an idea of the range of alpine plants growing in North America.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	9	(2)
Foreword	11	(4)
Bobby Ward
Preface	15	(6)
Introduction: Principle Alpine Habitats of Western North America	21	(10)
Encyclopedia of Mountain Flowers from the Rockies to Alaska	31	(263)
Androsace	33	(2)
Anemone	35	(3)
Aquilegia	38	(8)
Astragalus	46	(11)
Calyptridium	57	(1)
Campanula	58	(7)
Castilleja	65	(8)
Claytonia	73	(2)
Collomia	75	(1)
Delphinium	76	(4)
Dicentra	80	(2)
Dodecatheon	82	(5)
Douglasia	87	(8)
Draba	95	(4)
Dryas	99	(3)
Epilobium	102	(3)
Erigeron	105	(6)
Eriogonum	111	(15)
Eritrichium	126	(6)
Gentiana	132	(5)
Gilia	137	(4)
Hulsea	141	(1)
Hymenoxys	142	(5)
Ivesia	147	(3)
Keckiella	150	(1)
Kelseya	151	(2)
Lepidium	153	(2)
Leptodactylon	155	(1)
Lesquerella	156	(5)
Lewisia	161	(16)
Lupinus	177	(4)
Monardella	181	(2)
Oxytropis	183	(5)
Paronychia	188	(1)
Penstemon	189	(22)
Petrophytum	211	(2)
Phacelia	213	(2)
Phlox	215	(16)
Physaria	231	(4)
Polemonium	235	(4)
Primula	239	(12)
Pulsatilla	251	(3)
Ranunculus	254	(3)
Saxifraga	257	(7)
Scutellaria	264	(3)
Shoshonea	267	(1)
Silene	268	(5)
Synthyris	273	(2)
Talinum	275	(2)
Telesonix	277	(1)
Townsendia	278	(9)
Trifolium	287	(2)
Viola	289	(2)
Zauschneria	291	(3)
Cultivation	294	(10)
Glossary	304	(4)
Appendix 1 Alpine Plant Distribution by State	308	(16)
Appendix 2 Societies and Mail--Order Sources	324	(2)
Bibliography	326	(4)
Index of Plant Names	330

Excerpts

What is an alpine plant? In the strictest botanical sense it is any plant that grows above the tree line in subalpine and alpine zones in mountainous regions. Owing to the harsh conditions that exist in arctic areas like Alaska, not all alpinelike, treeless habitats are mountainous. Furthermore, a large number of plants that grow below the tree line are just as attractive and as suitable for growing in an alpine or rock garden as the true alpines; such plants may come from habitats ranging from woodland to desert. Even though some can be fairly tall it is generally accepted that to be classed as an alpine plant in the horticultural sense they have to be small, no taller than 30-40 cm (12-15 3/4 in.) high. Although many plants I describe in this book orginate in true alpine areas, others are alpines only in the horticultural sense. Those in the horticultural category can be just as difficult to cultivate successfully as the true alpine plant because of the conditions (such as high light levels and the type of rock in the soil) that exist in their natural habitat. Most plants I discuss in theis book do grow at least a few thousand feet above sea level, but as I point out in the Introduction, a wide range of factors govern the growth of alpine plants.I have been growing alpines from all parts of the world for over 40 years, but my first trip to the western United States in 1982 sold me on western alpines. Cultivating these wonderful plants has become part of my life ever since. I exhibit them at Alpine Garden Society shows, which means they have to be cultivated to a high standard. In attempting to meet these standards I have learned propagation and growing techniques not available in many books. In addition, since I am a nursery, specializing in North American alpines, I have been able to study and grow many more genera than I otherwise would have.Photo: Hulsea nana, Mount Shasta, California. Photo John Andrews.