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The high mountains of Europe are known as 'Alps'. Plants in this
garden come from the Pyrenees between Spain and France, and from
the French, Swiss, Austrian and Italian Alps. The Alps have been
well explored for alpines for many years and many of the most well
know alpine plants originate from this area. Plants such as the
Trumpet gentian, Gentiana acaulis and Leontopodium alpinum
or Edelweiss need no introduction.
Treeline in the Alps is much lower than in our
continental climate, being around 8,500 feet or around the same
elevation as the Alpine Gardens. Most plants from the Alps flourish
in our climate although some require protection from the hot summer
sun.
This growing collection currently
hosts around 75 species featuring all the classic genera, Saxifraga,
Gentiana, Androsace and Campanula. Gentiana
verna and the silver saxifrages dominate in early spring followed
by the summer displays of the common alpine poppy, Papaver alpinum
and the bright pink Dianthus alpinus. Later the impressive
blooms of Campanula thyrsoides bloom alongside the steely
blue Eryngium alpinum.  More
subtle alpines like Arabis bryoides and Androsace pyrenaica
bloom reliably alongside the dramatic spires of Saxifraga longifolia.
This garden has year round interest but peaks around early July.
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The Observation Point provides a quiet place for respite under
a Narrowleaf cottonwood tree, Populus angustifolia.
It offers views over the plants of the Western Alps to the
Water Garden, Mountain Perennial Garden and out to the slopes
of Vail Mountain with the Vail Ski Area beyond Gore Creek.
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