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Alpine Plant Identification Books

© Diana Pederson

It is critical that any gardener have resources available to them that correctly identify the different plant species they are planting. Ideally, this reference material should also give instructions on how to properly take grow the plant. The information needed includes growing zone (both hardiness zone maps and heat zone maps are beneficial), type soil needed, description of the plant, and time of flowering. It is also helpful to know if the plant disappears during the dry season.

Let's take a look at 3 different identification books that present the required information for various alpine or rock garden plants. One book is a general encyclopedia covering plants from around the world. The final two discuss plants from specific localities.

Rock Garden Plants: A Color Encyclopedia is written by Baldassare Mineo, the owner of the famous Siskiyou Rare Plant Nursery in Oregon. It was published by Timber Press in 1999 and contains 1400 plant pictures.

The first two chapters of the book present definitions of alpine and rock garden plants, the different habitats they grow in and some general information. The remainder of this book is an alphabetical encyclopedia of commonly grown rock garden or alpine plants. Although the descriptions of the plants are brief, you are told what habitat and soil type is required, approximate dimensions of the plant, and the natural home range of the plant.

This book ends with a listing of the family groupings of the plants presented, and short lists of plant species suitable for different habitats.

Rare Plants of Colorado, 2nd Edition is written by members of The Colorado Native Plant Society. It is published jointly by Falcon Press Publishing Co., Inc. and the Rocky Mountain Nature Association in 1997.

This book has some of the best alpine plant pictures I have seen. While only those that are rare are covered, they are divided into groups by the habitat they dwell in. This book is mandatory for anyone living or traveling in the Colorado Rocky Mountains and bordering states. I appreciated seeing distribution maps for each plant so a traveler would have some idea of where to begin seeking out these plant jewels.

Alpine Wildflowers: Showy Wildflowers of the Alpine and Subalpine Areas of the Northern Rocky Mountain States is written by Dr. Dee Strickler. It was published jointly by The Flower Press and Falcon Publishing, Inc. in 1990.

This is a handy, inexpensive guide for residents or visitors to the Rocky Mountain ranges in British Columbia, Alberta (both in Canada), Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado. The photographs are excellent. Each plant is described in detail. Information is then presented on its habitat, range, along with general comments about the plant.