Rock Gardens

Rock gardens can be a practical, yet very attractive, solution where more common landscaping designs fail. A rock garden, also known as an alpine garden, features liberal use of rocks and stones along with low-growing perennials native to rocky or alpine areas. They are typically used in landscaping to address steep or irregular terrain, lack of space for a larger garden and to prevent soil erosion. The most beautiful rock gardens are those that blend in with their natural surroundings.

The success of a rock garden depends on the selection and arrangement of the rocks and striking just the right balance between the rocks and plants. The beauty of a rock garden is enhanced if special attention is paid to color choices, both in the rocks and plants that are used.

• Choosing Rocks - Select a variety of sizes of rocks with unusual or interesting shapes and colors. Those with lichen or moss are often quite striking. Rocks, stones or pebbles native to your area will blend in and look more natural. When arranging the rocks let the garden's natural conditions guide you. For example, if the rocks you are using are covered on one side with moss then be sure to place all of them with the moss facing the same direction. It’s also important to bury the rocks about half way into the soil to make sure they are stationary. Let the soil settle around the rocks for a couple of days to make sure you like the layout before you begin adding the plants.



• Choosing Plants - Plants are used to complement the rocks and should not hide or detract from the beauty of the stones. Except for trees which provide partial shade and shrubs which serve as an accent, most of the plants in a rock garden should be relatively small or dwarf in size. Low growing perennials work beautifully. Where the soil is deep enough, evergreens can provide color to the garden throughout the winter. Since many plants best suited for rock gardens bloom only in the spring, consider using a few annuals to add color throughout the season. Rock gardens should only contain plants that grow naturally on rocky slopes so be sure to select plants that will tolerate the growing conditions.

Quite often rock gardens include pools of water, trellises, arbors, streams or waterfalls to complete the overall design. Include a pebbled path, low lighting and a comfortable bench nearby and your rock garden can become a place of serenity and relaxation for you and your family.