About 150 species of mainly small annuals, subshrubs and perennials from the Mediterranean region eastwards to Siberia. All the desirable species are tufted, mat or hummock-forming perennials, generally with simple grey or silvery hairy leaves and racemes of small, four-petalled, yellow or rarely white flowers in late spring.
Most species are best in the rock garden, raised bed or dry wall, with a handful of less hardy, hairy or woolly-leaved kinds, e.g. A. sphacioticum, for the alpine house. Ordinary well drained soil is suitable, preferably alkaline or with the addition of limestone chips. Full sun is the ideal but some shade is tolerated. Propagation is by seed when ripe or spring, or cuttings in late summer.
a, A. alpestre; b, A. halimifolium; c, A. montanum; d, A. saxatile;