Rock gardens can bring a natural, rugged beauty to any yard, including those with steep hillsides or other difficult growing conditions. Take a look at these stunning gardens for a wealth of color and design inspiration.
Making a rock garden is one of the most fun and creative forms of gardening. I recommend that on your first attempt, you try not to think too big. A giant hillside might be overwhelming for your first try.
There are many directions you can take your garden. With plenty of great ideas out there, one of the best ways to increase the natural look of a garden area is to add rocks. Rocks come in a multitude of shapes and sizes and can serve many functions in your garden.
By utilizing large rocks you can give your space a raw and natural appeal. This rugged look is great for adding texture to your landscaping. Smaller rocks can make a great bed for some plants and may be used rather than mulch or woodchips.
You may also choose to have rocks with no greenery at all. Sitting in a well organized rock garden without plants, or with manicured sand, is a very zen and visually intriguing idea.
Stones are not very expensive. If you are lucky enough to know where to find free rocks, you may not have to pay anything at all. If you need to purchase stones there are lots of options in a variety of shapes and sizes. Depending on the type of stone you choose, you can expect to spend $155 to $204 per one ton of stones.
Tips for Designing Beautiful Rock Gardens
Vary the size of your landscaping rocks
Naturally, you want your rocks to be in all different sizes. Leave holes big enough between for your plants—some tiny some bigger. Ask for advice from your local nursery as to the best place to acquire landscaping stones.
Choose the right location
Do you have a hill? If not, make one with your rocks and soil. You might include some larger stones to give your hill some height– such a hill is called a berm.
Map it out
On a piece of paper, use a pencil to draw out how you would like to place your stones before you start moving them to and fro. Sketching will save you a great deal of extra work when it comes time for placing the rocks! Try to mimic nature with your arrangements. Random groupings look more natural, instead of placing them in straight rows.
Pick the right plants for your rock garden
The best plants for rock gardens tend to be on the small side, often alpine in origin and drought-tolerant. They all need good drainage – especially if you live somewhere that gets a good amount of rainfall each year. Think tiny when it comes to your rock garden plants. Smaller bulbs are nice choice—especially small daffodils, wild tulip species, blue eyed grass or brodiaea.
Creeping plants are fun to use, too, because they soften the hard edges of the rocks and help blend your plantings over time. I like to use small mints, sedums, mosses, ice plants, and short grasses like blue fescue. Succulents are also classic rock garden plants and are fun to tuck in here and there in the most unlikely spots—plus, they are hardy in most climates.
Use soil correctly
I mention soil last, but it is always the most important part of creating a healthy garden. Before planting, combine small rocks, a layer of sand (use a few inches) and a layer of a lean topsoil. The top layer of soil should have some peat and small lava rock mixed in. You don't want to use a rich nutrient rich soil with lots of compost because rock garden plant like it lean and mean. Soil that is too rich will result in unhappy looking plants!
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