Directly across from the east side of the Skytower lies the Rock Garden. Maintaining true alpines in this climate with our saline water conditions and frostless seaside climate is difficult, often impossible; however, we have made an effort to establish those plants that will tolerate these conditions.

Perennials, ground covers, low shrubs and small bulbs from both the Mediterranean and temperate climates are planted here. Tulip and narcissus species and cultivars are scattered in a naturalistic setting throughout this garden making it especially attractive in spring and early summer.

Dwarf taxa of many conifers from other climates have been successfully intermixed with the other plants offering some vertical growth and a more permanent appearance to the garden.

Starting with an almost impossibly poor hard soil, we incorporated large amounts of organic matter into the area through the years to create a more favorable growing environment. Western Australian ephemeral plants, such as Leschenaultia species and Guichenotia, prospered for a number of years.

Nearby, on the north slope of the Dolphin Stadium, we have taken an old sloping water course, broken the concrete to create drainage, and filled areas with a combination of rock chips and organic matter. This change tries to recreate the moist but well drained soil conditions where alpine plants live.

Again, as with our Rock Garden plantings, we had to recognize that most true alpines would not tolerate our local conditions for long. Therefore, we included other ground cover perennials, low shrubs and dwarf conifers to recreate a mountain-like appearance. A few alpines, such as some gentian species and edelweiss ( Lentopodium alpinum ) gamely grew and blossomed for a number of years before burning out in an unsually hot summer.

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