A rock garden (rockery) can transform even the most mundane garden into something quite spectacular. It can be a feature in its own right but its main purpose is as an arrangement in which the rocks merely provide a home for a display of really showy flowers.
I love rocks and never pass up an opportunity to bring one home from my ramblings, knowing that I will have the perfect spot for it. Rocks have a naturalness, an air of permanence and a beauty all their own but, for Heaven's sake, never, never paint them. Ideally, you should always use rocks local to your area. Imported rocks can often totally destroy the natural effect that you are trying to create. Local rocks belong.
Your rockery's real purpose is to provide pockets of soil for your plants and there is really no limit to the types of plants you can grow there. I find that the alpine and succulent species in particular make for the most attractive rockeries. These particular plants are usually low maintenance, allowing you more time to enjoy your new creation. Advice from your local garden centre can be helpful in this regard.
Ideally, the size of the rocks and of the rockery itself should be in proportion to the available area of you garden. I have seen a rockery used to great effect in tidying up the look of an unattractive corner of a garden but I have also seen an otherwise delightful rockery totally wasted in a garden that was just too small for it. Another important thing to bear in mind in creating a natural look is to use rocks of varying sizes. Never sit your rocks on top of the ground. Always bury them just enough to give the impression that there is still a lot of rock underground. The natural look is the all-important outcome that you are seeking to create.Ideally, your rockery should be situated in the sun as this will give you the widest possible selection of plantings.
Surface rocks and stones always look best as they are more likely to have that highly desirable weathered look and, if you can get some with lichen or moss on them, even better. However, if you're not lucky enough to find rocks like these, then here's a little tip: painting your rocks with yoghurt can achieve a mossy look.
Another important thing to remember is not to put your rockery around the base of a tree because this raises the soil level above the normal ground line and could kill the tree. I did this once in my early days of gardening. A tree is a beautiful thing in its own right and doesn't need its base cluttered with rocks and plants.
.
I love rocks and never pass up an opportunity to bring one home from my ramblings, knowing that I will have the perfect spot for it. Rocks have a naturalness, an air of permanence and a beauty all their own but, for Heaven's sake, never, never paint them. Ideally, you should always use rocks local to your area. Imported rocks can often totally destroy the natural effect that you are trying to create. Local rocks belong.
Your rockery's real purpose is to provide pockets of soil for your plants and there is really no limit to the types of plants you can grow there. I find that the alpine and succulent species in particular make for the most attractive rockeries. These particular plants are usually low maintenance, allowing you more time to enjoy your new creation. Advice from your local garden centre can be helpful in this regard.
Ideally, the size of the rocks and of the rockery itself should be in proportion to the available area of you garden. I have seen a rockery used to great effect in tidying up the look of an unattractive corner of a garden but I have also seen an otherwise delightful rockery totally wasted in a garden that was just too small for it. Another important thing to bear in mind in creating a natural look is to use rocks of varying sizes. Never sit your rocks on top of the ground. Always bury them just enough to give the impression that there is still a lot of rock underground. The natural look is the all-important outcome that you are seeking to create.Ideally, your rockery should be situated in the sun as this will give you the widest possible selection of plantings.
Surface rocks and stones always look best as they are more likely to have that highly desirable weathered look and, if you can get some with lichen or moss on them, even better. However, if you're not lucky enough to find rocks like these, then here's a little tip: painting your rocks with yoghurt can achieve a mossy look.
Another important thing to remember is not to put your rockery around the base of a tree because this raises the soil level above the normal ground line and could kill the tree. I did this once in my early days of gardening. A tree is a beautiful thing in its own right and doesn't need its base cluttered with rocks and plants.
.
Maxina Williams loves everything to do with gardening and outdoor living.
Suitable plants for your rock garden can be obtained from
Direct Gardening http://www.directgardening.com/index_cj.htm in the US
or in Australia at Garden Express http://www.gardenexpress.com.au
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/GardenThings
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/gardenswings
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maxina_D_Williams
Suitable plants for your rock garden can be obtained from
Direct Gardening http://www.directgardening.com/index_cj.htm in the US
or in Australia at Garden Express http://www.gardenexpress.com.au
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/GardenThings
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/gardenswings
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maxina_D_Williams
No comments:
Post a Comment