In general from specialist growers, they produce far better plants as they know what they are doing and rarely charge much more than the GC's. Good way of seeing a range of plants is to go to the SRGC show in Edinburgh six quality trade stands all with superb plants. I can pm you with a list of actual nurseries if you are interested.

More difficult in Scotland now, Scotkat, as so many of the alpine nurserymen are aging and retiring. One of the best used to be just down the hill in Westmuir but I think that Ian has stopped altogether now. The main two 'open' nurseries are Edrom in the Borders anf Ardfearn near Inverness, both a long way. For mail order you could try Kevock near Edinburgh or Rumbling Bridge Nursery.
The BEST place to buy alpine plants is at the Scottish Rock Garden Club shows when all the nurseries come to us! Unfortunately the season has finished for 2011 so the next event will be in Dunblane on 18 February when there will be about six alpine nurseries displaying their wares.

I get mine from 'Potterton's Nursery in Lincolnshire. They're excellent suppliers of alpines, and have a good mail order service. The plants are a very good size when you receive them, and they come potted up and packed very securely in a padded box. The prices are very reasonable, too.
You can send for their catalogue at the following address:

Potterton's Nursery,
Moortown Road,
Nettleton,
Caistor, Lincolnshire LN7 6HX or go to

www.pottertons.co.uk. I'd recommend them highly. They have a catalogue for alpine plants and one for alpine bulbs, and each of them has good photos of the plants. so give them a try. I have a small rock garden, and have bought several dianthus, erodiums and alpine geraniums from them, and have been very pleased with the results.

Hope this has been useful----I ought to get a few free plants for this advert, didn't I!! Annie (Cumbria)

I will endorse Rob Potterton's plants but was keeping my list local. Rob often has a stand at the Edinburgh show.

Thankyou all I have had a good look at website.

A lot to choose from .

Sorry Scotkat can't add any extra info!