Rock Garden Tips
Rock gardens utilize smaller-sized plants that integrate with the stones to create an overall effect that relies on the textural contrasts. Rock gardens are effective choices for those with limited gardening space as this type of specialty garden can range from very small to enormous. Does this Spark an idea?
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Raised Beds
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One of the defining characteristics of a well-made rock garden is the raised garden bed. Creating raised beds provides an architectural element of interest that keeps the rock garden from looking flat and uninteresting.
Container Plants
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An easy way to change the look of your garden over time is to use plants that grow in containers. Containers are much more easily moved from one place to another than plants growing from the ground.
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Ideal Landscape Choices
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The ideal landscape on which to construct a rock garden is one that already slopes or is made up of small hills. The changes in elevation allow you to utilize rocks of different sizes to lend variety to the garden.
Burying the Rocks
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To create a more natural and realistic effect, you should plant the rocks into the soil. Dig a hole in which you can bury anywhere from one-half to one-third of the rock. Give the stone a slight slant backward to assist in preventing erosion and retaining water around the plants.
Local Stones
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Stick with types of stones found naturally in your region. Common choices are granite, limestone and sandstone. The closer to your home the rock comes from, the more affordable it will be. If you plan on using a non-native type of rock, you will have to factor transportation costs into the price. Another benefit of using local rock types if the ability to find those rocks around town and pick them up for no cost at all.
Creating a Simulated Boulder
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A secret to making a group of smaller stones look more natural is to situate them close together and then fill in gaps between the rocks with soil mix. Use smaller angular rocks that can be fitted next to each other to simulate a single larger boulder that appears to have been shattered. You can grow plants inside the crevices to make the simulation even more authentic.
Small Rock Gardens
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To utilize limited space for an effective rock garden, dig away the soil from your site and lay down a bed of gravel. Create a raised bed by mixing gravel, sand and compost. On top of this bed, lay down some small rocks and then surround the entire area with a dry stone wall. Use the crevices between the rocks as the location for your plants.
Streambed Rock Garden
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A rock garden can become part of a streambed effect. After digging the trench for your stream, place large rocks to along the edges to stabilize the running water. Place small rocks and some gravel as a cover for your streambed liner. These stones within the stream also provide surface areas upon which algae can grow to keep the water clean.
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References
- Photo Credit Rocks and Flowers in the Garden image by LaVal from Fotolia.com
