This region occurs at about 3,250 to 5,850 foot elevation.  Moderate to steep slopes of sandy, gravelly soil with scattered groupings of medium sized boulders. Clumps and extensive displays of short drought tolerant plants such as paintbrushes, lupines, sedums, penstemon and wooly pussytoes. Their survival is sometimes enhanced by catching the runoff of rain from the rocks above them. Shrubs such as Vaccinium deliciosum and Rhododendron albiflorum will appear in subalpine areas along with scattered clusters of trees such as Sitka alder and subalpine fir.

IN THE WILD – This region occurs at about 3,250 to 5.850 foot elevation. Short, drought tolerant flowers  such as paintbrush, lupine, sedum, penstemon and woolly pussytoes are found on slopes of sandy, gravelly soil. Those needing more moisture, such as turtlehead,  grow near seeps or runoff from scattered groupings of medium sized boulders. Medium sized shrubs such as shrubby cinquefoil and white rhododendron appear along with occasional clusters of trees such as Sitka alder and subalpine fir.

IN YOUR GARDEN – Take advantage of a well draining hillside, choose and place  boulders  of a size that suits the scale of the area in partially buried groupings. Plant clusters of short drought tolerant groundcovers, grasses and flowers  around them.