Rock Gardens

In China and Japan, rock gardening has been practiced for eons. These gardens concentrate on the rock form, not the garden plants. Small, smooth stones of one color raked into soothing patterns are the centerpieces of these gardens while the plants play a supporting role.

In other parts of the world, rock gardening generally refers to the use of alpine plants. Rock gardens are situated on a sunny slope, mimicking the natural habitat of the small plants that grow on the sides of mountains. A rock garden can be a perfect solution for a difficult landscape area. Alpine plants thrive in well-drained soil in a very sunny spot.

Before you try to plant a rock garden, take into consideration the size of the area you’d like to plant. Rock gardens require a good amount of maintenance. Weeding is the biggest chore and must be done continually to prevent the intruders from overtaking the smaller alpine beauties. Watering is infrequent, but can still be needed.

Rock garden plant selection requires some research. Most rock garden plants are low growing with spreading or climbing habits. Makes sense since they are native to mountain slopes. Many thrive in poor, sandy soils. Most rock garden plants also have bright blooms or brightly colored foliage. Many are perennials, although some annuals may be planted in the mix. Taller plants may be added to the rock garden to provide a border or accent, but these should be kept to a minimum.

Rocks, obviously, are an essential part of the rock garden. In my research, I found that using rocks that are all the same type (sandstone, granite, etc.) is recommended to achieve a more natural look. The rocks should be placed in a way to look as though they have always been in the location and to achieve an outcropping effect. Small pebbles or small gravel should be used as mulch.

Having a good plan for your rock garden is imperative before you begin to build it. Keep an accurate layout of plantings and rock formations to avoid confusion in coming years.

If building a complete rock garden sounds like a daunting task but you would still like to grow some of those little alpine plants in your landscape, consider planting a few in the crevices of a stone wall or the cracks of a path or patio. Select plants specifically for either purpose and tuck them into these little spots.

In researching for this article, I found several very informative websites: The Garden Helper has a very cute chart of rock garden plants. The chart lists watering requirements as well as bloom colors, growth habit, etc. Colorado State University Extension has a nice site with great information, as you might expect. Many alpine plants are native to Colorado and the university has put together a comprehensive list. The North American Rock Garden Society has the best site on the subject that I could find. The site has a page on the history of rock gardening that is quite interesting. Members all across the US and Canada offer private tours of their rock gardens. Please follow the garden etiquette rules listed. The site also has the best instructions for planning, selecting, building and caring for your rock garden. If you become an active rock gardener, a membership in the society would be well worth the dues.

My yard and garden are heavily masked with shade from my lovely trees, so a rock garden is not something I could attempt. However, if you have a small spot that is sunny and you hear some of the alpine plants calling out to you as you pass them at the local garden center, planting a rock garden should be a happy endeavor.

by Garden Maven Peg

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