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Learn More About the Alpine Garden
What areas of the world will you see when you explore the Alpine Garden?
Europe
Miniature daffodils and countless other bulbs bloom in early spring. Later, in summer the smell of lavender and rosemary is strong in this part of the Alpine Garden. European plants are also found in other places in the Botanical Garden, such as in the Physic Garden, where European Medicinal Plants are grown, the Food Garden and on the Rock Wall near the Tunnel.
Australasia
Plants from Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand are featured in this area. The most famous of these are the gum trees - eucalyptus - with their blue-green leaves and patchy bark. But there are other, weirder plants here, like the wire plant, the moss-like coprosma with its hailstone-like fruits and the fiercesome Spanish daggers.
Asia
The Himalayas, the tallest mountains in the world are home to large and small rhododendrons and bright blue gentians. There are plenty of spectacular bulbs from the drier parts of Asia here, including giant foxtail lilies and sweetly fragrant hyacinths. Don't forget to look for the Asian skunk cabbage in the boggy areas of the Asian section of the Alpine Garden.
North America
This area is filled with colourful beard-tongues, sages and lilies. In spring, look for the star-shaped blooms of camas and the showy flowers of native trilliums, but any time of the year, watch out for prickly pears!
South America
The South American section is small, but it is filled with fascinating and beautiful plants. In earliest spring, the azara tree blooms with tiny, yellow, chocolate-scented flowers. Don't miss the dazzling flowers of Peruvian lily as they barely poke out of the ground before opening, and the electric red flowers of the Chilean fire bush.
Africa
Flowers in the African section are the biggest and the brightest of all the areas in the Alpine Garden. Even the blueberry flowers are spectacular (this particular species is from the Azores, a group of islands off the north African coast). Hummingbirds love this section the most, particularly when the cape fuchsias are flowering, and visitors can watch their looping aerobatics from anywhere nearby.