Rock Gardens

[jacky]

Color in the Rock Garden


Rock gardens mix flowers and the ruggedness of the mountains.

To begin a rock garden, select a spot that is open to light but is not too hot.
Soil generally must be amended, or mixed with organic material, to make it porous.
A mix of half native topsoil and equal parts coarse sand, pea-sized gravel and compost is one common recipe used by rock gardeners.
Don't be afraid to be expressive. Rock gardens look best when they are bold and large, rather than puny and trivial. The rocks should all be of the same source, but of different sizes.
Avoid placing them regularly or jumbling them randomly. The placement of rocks is an art and beginning rock gardeners should look up some books on the subject, spend a little time observing outcrops in nature, and try visiting successful rock gardens to see how others have done it. A mulch of gravel or a stone of similar color to the rocks in the garden will trim a rock garden beautifully.
Remember, a rock garden is not designed for immediate impact. It will look sparse in its first year so plant lots of tiny spring bulbs. You will be rewarded for years to come with this sophisticated garden art form.

[jacky]

If your property has a slope dotted with interesting or weathered rock formations, you have an ideal spot for a rock garden. If nature hasn't provided you with the ideal location, all you need is a few loads of topsoil and some rocks. If you must bring in your own rocks and soil, start small. The job may be bigger than you think.
Rocks native to your area will look natural and will be the cheapest and easiest to obtain. Large rocks with irregular shapes look interesting in the rock garden, but keep in mind that you'll need smaller rocks, too. Limestone is a good selection. The rock is soft and porous, allowing moisture to seep through, and some determined roots will be able to make their way through the rock. Limestone usually has depressions in it that can be filled with dirt for planting mosses and lichens.
A rock garden is defined as an outcropping of rocks into which a careful selection of low-growing perennials, annuals, bulbs and shrubs are nestled. Installing a rock garden is not an easy option like so many may think!!!
You might want to read about it or take a class beforehand. Or, you can observe natural rocky terrains and man-made rock gardens, you can find some in botanical gardens or maybe a neighbour has one! You can also try talking to your local garden centre for tips and ideas. In the meantime, there are some guidelines you can think about.
Rock gardens are a good choice for sloping sites because the angle of the slope are so similar to the mountainous regions, and many plants traditionally used in rock gardens originate in these regions.
You also can construct a rock garden on level ground in an area that receives ample sunlight. Any turf you remove can be used as a handy base to elevate the grade, but add plenty of coarse stones to provide a well-drained base on which to place a sandy soil mix and the featured rocks.
Remember to first check out the local phone book to find nurseries that stock landscape rock Select rocks of the same type, but different sizes.
Generally speaking, it's best to place the largest rocks within the soil base towards the bottom of the slope. Arrange smaller ones to give the impression that they have tumbled down. Place all rocks on their broadest side and bury them at least half-way into the finished grade.
Although installing a rock garden is a challenging task, it's also fun, especially when it's time to plant. The rocks provide many different niches into which carefully selected plants can grow. Large garden centers and nurseries have a special section of rock garden plants to help you in your decision.

[Sue]

jacky lovely info thank you!