Alpine and rock garden plants are so cute with their pin-cushion growth habit and tiny, jewel-like flowers. The best way to try growing these specialty plants is in a container. Stone or hypertufa troughs are traditional, but any sturdy pot about 12″ deep with a hole in the bottom will do. The critical element for success is very well draining potting medium. Mix in plenty of pumice, perlite or gravel into bagged potting soil. Most alpine plants prefer full sun, but there are species for every light condition. Creating and Planting Garden Troughs by Rex Murfitt and Joyce Fingerut is a great book to get started with trough gardening.