Are alpine and rock gardens the same? Alpine gardeners use the terms interchangeably. But most people don't have a clue what an alpine garden is; and to them, a rock garden, well, has rocks.

What you're asking is a big order, so let's first find out what you actually mean/need. What genus are you interested in?

Well, I would like to grow the genus Calceolaria, but I'm not even sure if they will grow here in Florida. Ive read that some will but I'm still waiting to get seeds. I know they grow on the mountains in Chile, and so I figured I could start a rock garden (or alpine garden?) for them (if they grow).

I have never grown calceolaria, but it is my understanding that they like the cool. You'll have to do some research because I can't say positively that all calceolaria species are the same, but I'm sorry to say that I don't think Florida will be very hospitable for them, no matter what you do.