Rock Garden Rock Garden Rock gardens are designed to use a small space to recreate images of rugged mountain landscapes. The plants are adapted to the harsh environment of the world's mountaintops, dwarfed, and often have showy blooms.
Alpine plants grow in very little soil, the medium being a mix of gravel, sand, and organic matter.
Because these plants are adapted to cool conditions above the treeline, it is important that rock gardens at lower altitudes face north in order to minimize direct sun. Our rock garden is composed of alpine plants and terrestrial plants which do well in coarse medium. The Allen Centennial Gardens' rock garden is divided into eight areas, which simulate plant life in mountainous regions. The High Plains Garden is characterized by its sandy medium and large flat sandstone rocks. The lower garden is the home of our troughs.