[2] The zonation in tropical and sub-tropical mountains differs significantly and the plants of these zones tend to fall without the domain of interest of AGS members.

This in turn has led to a long-term debate about whether or not the AGS should change its name to reflect its evolution into a society with very catholic interests.

Nevertheless, alpine plants sensu stricto remain a core and common interest to the members of the society, and so are central to its identity.

The AGS organises shows for Alpine and Rock Garden plants at a range of venues in England, Wales and Ireland.

This enables those with less time to display images of their plants and receive feedback from expert judges and from the community of members.

The combination of talented designers and the expert growing skills of the members always results in an award-winning stand, including the President's Award for best display in the Marquee in 2008.

The first general meeting was held on 10 December 1929, when the name was changed to its present one, as its principal purpose was to encourage the cultivation of alpine plants.

The support sometimes took the form of individual members taking shares in an expedition by providing finance in return for a proportion of the material which was collected.

[10] In later years, the Society supported the publication of more overtly scientific works, such as the monograph on the genus Daphne by Christopher Brickell and Brian Mathew.

In 1954, founder member, Dorothy Renton, took the Royal Horticultural Society's Veitch Memorial Medal for her work in developing a garden in Scotland.