Cultivating plants native to high elevations in lowland regions with a rainy climate can be a challenging endeavor. These species are often adapted to specific environmental conditions such as cold temperatures, snow cover throughout winter, rocky, perfectly drained soil, and intense sunlight, which can be vastly different from the conditions found at lower elevations. When I became enamored with growing rosulate violets (Viola spp.) after a trip to the Chilean Andes several years ago, I knew I was going to need a special tool to try these unique, succulent-like plants in my Pacific Northwest garden and nursery.
