A Rock Garden Oasis

Building a rock garden is one of the most economical ways to enhance the landscape surrounding your home.

Rock gardening can also be very rewarding. Not only are such gardens low upkeep; they're beautiful and instill a sense of peace and tranquility into your personal landscape.

These types of gardens bring with them the assumption of having very few plants, and those of a very hardy variety, or no plants at all.

The arrangement of the rocks in your garden, when properly complemented by attractive plants with coordinating colors, can add to the beauty of your home and provide a low-maintenance landscape feature that should not interfere with your lawn-mowing practices; rather, it will reduce the amount of space that requires mowing.

Be sure to dig out the roots as well as the tops, or you may find your garden invaded at some later time by an unwanted fern or intrusive perennials. Believe me... it's better to take the time now to do this right, rather than having to dig among the rocks later on to get rid of these pesky plants.

If you plan to do some planting, make sure you test the soil to determine its level of acidity and its general pH. It is a good idea, even after you have placed your rocks and mapped out where you want to put any plants, to wait a full growing season before you attempt to plant in your rock garden.

This will ensure that the soil has settled. It is also desirable to mix in such soil enhancements as mulch, compost, and other compounds. If you plan to use plants that like soils with alkali, you should mix in crushed oyster shells or limestone.

A little variety in the types of rocks used is as desirable as a little variety of plants chosen to place in a more conventional garden.

If you wish to have a many plants, then your rocks should be spaced further apart to give more room for the vegetation. If, however, you plan to use plants only sparingly, arrange the rocks closer together, but make sure that you allow some room for plants to grow.

The main thing is to try to make the garden design look as natural as possible, as it will be more attractive that way than a formal arrangement.

When placing rocks in a garden that is sloped, it is best to start at the low parts of the slopes and work your way up. Try to slope the top of the rock back toward the slope so that water from rain and sprinklers is guided downward.

Also, try to keep outcroppings from overshadowing rocks and plants below. The goal is to create a feeling of stability. Set each rock so that its widest side serves as a base. You can also set a larger rock on top of smaller rocks and then fill in the cracks with soil.

If you are placing the rocks on flat ground, work from the inside toward the outer edges of the garden. If you are planning a circular garden, or a garden in some other shape that is surrounded by other landscape features, this can be tricky.

Therefore, it is a good idea to mark out which rocks you would like on a map so that you can ensure their proper placement in the garden. It may be necessary, on a flat site, to build up small mounds of dirt in different places to give the rock garden an interesting appearance.

Early spring or early autumn are the best times to do any planting, including planting in rock gardens. Make sure you choose plants that are suited for rugged terrain and adapted to your climate. Then, plant them in the spaces you have designated. The end result should be a beautiful rock garden that requires little upkeep.

Almost any kind of rocks and stones will make your landscape design more interesting and pleasing to the eye. There are many kinds of stones to choose from. One must only discern which ones will provide the appropriate effect.

Boulders

These can come in different sizes. They are ideal for water landscapes, like falls or cascades. Large boulders can be used for marking a driveway or for the entryway to a garden. They can provide a dramatic effect to the design. Make sure that they are strategically situated as attract much attention.

Flag Stones

These stones are perfect for walks and patios. They are very thin and smooth and come in various shades, sizes, and distinctive shapes. They are usually placed above a layer of sand. The flag stones can be adjusted to make a pleasing design.

River pebbles

When it comes to drier locations, river pebbles are the best choice since they help with water conservation. They can also be used as a decorative balance to a plantings.

Granite

Beautiful and versatile, granites can be carved into garden furniture like the tables and benches or simply used for decoration.

Other Tips in Choosing the Appropriate Rock

1. You must consider the space available when making your choice. Take note of the proximity of one to another. Make sure that these do not a path or an important view.

2. Color is also a distinct feature in the landscape. Some implement specific color schemes. There are different colors to choose from like red, yellow or white or you can carefully use in combination.

3. Porous rock is a better choice for a weathered look. They are receptive to growth of mosses and other plants like creeping phlox.

4. Avoid using sharp rocks near pathways.

5. For a more natural look, choose rocks that are of similar appearance, considering texture, color and form.

For your rock gardening, just make sure to use rocks in the best way possible. Choose well. Simply use your imagination to make the stones functional in the design. Remember always to make the area look as natural as possible and nature will be closer to home than ever in your rock garden.

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