How To Build a Rock Garden

A rock garden is an excellent low maintenance choice to accent and highlight surrounding landscapes. When thinking about designing a rock garden, Mother Nature is the best guide. Observe how boulders are situated in nature. This will give you helpful hints about the design and structure of your future garden.

The Planning Process

When planning to build a rock garden, locating a site should be the first priority. The perfect site would be a slight slope or hillside that faces southeast. If your location has only flat areas, you may want to construct a raised bed in the shape of a round pyramid. It is best if the bed faces north and southeast, with shaded areas to the west.

Once you have located a suitable site, gather all of the tools and materials you will need before you begin. These will include, but are not limited to, gravel, sand, loam (a mix of clay, sand, and straw), water-based potter's clay, yogurt, and a variety of stone.

Deciding on what types of stone to use is a matter of personal choice, however, avoid selecting too many different types of stones. Too many competing shapes and colors will make your garden look cluttered. For example, avoid mixing stone colors such as a mix of red and gray. This will focus attention on the rocks rather than the plants.

To achieve a natural look, stones should be sized and placed irregularly. Talk to our local Bedrock expert for information on product selection and delivery guidelines. You will want to remember that stone simply placed on the ground surface is subject to shift or heave during the winter months. Position stones one-third above ground and two-thirds below for a stable environment.

Building the Rock Garden

By using the following steps, you'll be able to construct a landscape that will provide years of enjoyment, as well as the luxury of minimal maintenance.

Step 1. Fill in the garden bed with one part sand, one part pea gravel, and two parts loam.

Step 2. Install the boulders. Due to the enormous weight, some boulders may need to be placed by
              professionals.

Step 3. Next, place flat stones to be used as stepping stones. These should be level with a slight pitch to help
             bring water down to the bed surface. Anchor stones can also be used as sitting areas in your rock
            garden.

Step 4. If your stones get scraped in the process of transport, a solution of water-based potter's clay and
             yogurt can be used to camouflage the marks. Mix approximately three parts clay with one part
            yogurt until it is about the consistency of toothpaste. This is also a wonderful way to give your stones a
            weathered look.

Using Mulcb in Rock Gardens

Mulch can be used for many purposes in a rock garden. It is best that the entire soil surface of your garden be covered in small crushed stone, between the ranges of 3/8 to 12inch. Stone mulching has many benefits, including helping to reduce the occurrence of weeds, keep the soil cool, slow down the evaporation of water, and decrease the heaving of plants in winter.

Incorporating Plants into Rock Gardens

Setting plants in a rock garden is a wonderful way to add life to your landscape. This process is fairly simple and will really make your garden pop. Our best recommendation is to select only the highest quality plants and include both organic compost and starter fertilizer.

First, you will want to layout the plants in the areas you wish to install them. This gives you the opportunity to make minor adjustments along the way. Smaller plants are less likely to suffer transplant shock, and will not overwhelm your rock garden's design. Once you are satisfied with the layout, dig holes and position the plants. Utilze a 50/50 native soil and organic compost blend. If necessary, spread the roots out and pack more organic compost around the plant. It is a good idea to plant in the nooks and crannies ofthe boulders for a more natural look. Larger plants can be divided to fit in these tight areas.

Once your rock garden is planted, you can start to enjoy the luxury of an almost carefree landscape. Although the plants need to be watered occasionally, avoid over watering. Many rock garden plants prefer a relatively dry climate. Feel free to see one of our nursery experts for advice on plant selection, feeding and water requirements.

Different types of Plants

Below is a list of plants that work very well in rock gardens. Keep in mind that these are suggestions, and that adjusting your garden to your tastes and lifestyles are what will make your landscape unique. The following is a list of excellent plants to use in a rock garden.

• Blue Fescue: This is an ornamental Grass that adds texture to a rock garden

• Hens & Chicks: This succulent is about the most popular for rock gardens. I tolerates heat and dry spells very
   well.

• Lambs Ear: This plant has a fuzzy texture. It adds a unique plant feature to rock gardens and grows fast
   under ideal sunny conditions.

• Catmint (Nepeta): This unique plant will add blue color to any garden. It prefers full sun and works well for hot
  and dry conditions.

• Ornamental Sweet Potatoe: These plants add a variety of colors to rock gardens. Colors include lime green,
   deep purple, red, pink and variegated green.

• Russian Sage (Perovskia) : These plants are a great way to add height to your rock garden.

• Artemisia: These plants ar a rock garden classic consisting of green or grayish foliage.

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