Rock gardens have a long history. They began with finding plants that were best suited for rocky conditions. Also called alpine gardening, it has now evolved into a garden trend where anyone can create a rock garden in their landscape using plants that are not necessarily found in mountainous regions but are small enough to grow between rocks. The rocks and the plants accent each other.
A rock garden can be anywhere or anything you want it to be!
Creating your rock garden:
- Choose a location big enough to accommodate both plants and rocks.
- Consider the sun/shade conditions of your space.
- Have a design or plan in mind.
- Choose plants suitable for your sun requirements.
- You can choose any size rocks, but it is best to mix sizes of rocks to give the garden depth.
- Large boulders and small stones should be used to fill in all different size gaps in your garden space.
- Amend the soil by adding peat moss to the existing soil for healthy plant growth.
- Place large boulders first with enough space between to add plants.
- Dig the large stones into the soil for support.
- Place the boulders in a staggered or non-uniform pattern to look more natural.
- Lay out the plants around the large stones, adjusting them to your plan or vision.
- Add smaller stones to accent the larger stones and fill in any spaces in your landscape.
Choosing plants for your garden:
Most rock garden plants stay small or can be pruned to stay small and live in shallow soil conditions. Gertens has a section of shrubs that are already chosen for rock gardens and must be pruned to stay small.
- Choose plants that will do well in your sun conditions.
- Create your garden to be visually interesting throughout the year.
- Add spring bulbs, perennials, and shrubs.
- For more flower interest have an annual area that can be easily planted every year.
Plants we recommend:
Perennials: Yarrow, Sedum, Thyme, Iris, Primula, Campanula, Phlox, Geranium, Anemone, Columbine, Dianthus, Pasque flower, Viola, Allium, Lady’s mantle, Foam flower, Coral bells, Thrift, and even Clematis. To name a few!
Bulbs: Use smaller bulbs to plant in-between the rocks such as: Crocus, Scilla, and Narcissus
Shrubs: Smaller varieties are best and all will most likely need to be pruned heavily to maintain size: Barberry, Juniper, Arborvitae, Cypress, Spirea, Pine, Potentilla, Rugosa rose.
Annuals: Any smaller annuals can be used such as: Moss rose, Marigold, or impatiens for a shade garden.
Other ideas for rock gardens
- Creating a rock garden into your landscape wall
- Plant small root perennial groundcover.
- The wall must have spaces in-between the stones to add some soil and a small plant.
- These plants will add depth and interest to an otherwise boring retaining wall.
- Perennials such as Thyme and ground cover Sedum work best.
Photo by Elifin Realty
Tucking plants into your patio stone:
- Patio blocks must be far enough apart to add soil and small plants.
- Use small perennials to plant in between your patio stones.
- Create texture and a new dimension for your stone path.
- Perennial creeping Thyme is a wonderful choice.
Rock gardens are a fun theme in anyone’s landscape.
The experts at Gertens are always available to answer your questions!