Garden Design IdeasGarden Ideas, Photos and Tips for Gardening at Home
A rock-and-roll garden can supply height and deepness to a flat area . sum a waterfall or other water feature to raise the lifelike appearance . interior designer : Philip Thornburg , Winterbloom Landscaping . pic : Janet Loughrey .
add a rock-and-roll garden to your thousand is a creative way to add depth and dimension to a matted or terrene space , or to introduce an element of surprisal . The rugged appearance of rock sum crude appealingness , connecting a manmade landscape to the natural domain .
Rocks can be used to define a slope , represent as a backup for a lawn , or become a solution to an region where little will grow . Different areas of the yard such as walkway and beds can be outline or carve up with an attractive system of rocks , pebbles or gravel . A rock candy garden can swan from a complex with child - musical scale project with many aspect and layers , to something as unproblematic as a small recession adorned with gravel and river Stone . Even a container can become a miniature rock landscape .
Rock garden are modest - maintenance and lend twelvemonth - round structure to the landscape . In order for your ruined project to have coherency , it should be well thought out and project . Here are some basic principles to get you start , along with a list of recommended plants .
PLANNING A ROCK GARDEN
reckon outside the box . Even a front yard can be the site of a careen garden , such as this entryway register here . Designer : Philip Thornburg , Winterbloom Landscaping . Photo : Janet Loughrey .
Choose and evaluate your site.
Where would a rock garden look best in your yard ? Is the website in sun or shade ? Will plant need even water , or will it be a drouth - tolerant landscape ? Do n’t be afraid to think outside the box . Even a front pace can have a rock garden .
Research.
Gather ideas by looking at photos of rock music gardens on the net and by bring down local gardens . Make an idea control board or list with property you require to admit .
Draw up a design.
Once you have some canonic idea , make a plan and draw a rough sketch . For a bigger project , you may need to consult with a landscape house decorator . big John Rock are a challenge to rise and set in place , so it ’s important to bed in the lead of fourth dimension where you desire them .
Consider scale.
Use materials that are in scale with your home and yard . Big boulders can drown a small space , while small stones will get fall behind in a sweeping landscape .
Choose a style.
bumpy irregular rocks add up furrowed rude entreaty , while tranquil pebble or clean white gravel contribute a more formal appearance , such as with Japanese rock gardens andZen rock gardens . produce a look that complements your base ’s flair as well as the eternal rest of the pace .
Keep it natural.
Take a cue from Mother Nature by making the rock garden look like it belong . This will make the conception more visually pleasing and cohesive with the rest of the cubic yard . Random grouping of Stone will front more natural than placing them in neat rows or organized patterns . contain a water characteristic or stepping I. F. Stone to enhance the instinctive entreaty .
HOW TO BUILD A ROCK GARDEN
Vary material such as pebbles , crushed rock and stepping stones to make a more visually interesting landscape . graphic designer : Adriana Berry , Plant Passion Design . Photo : Janet Loughrey .
Make a list.
so as to have the right materials on hand , make a listing of what you need .
Source materials.
Peruse local garden centers , home betterment computer memory and specialty rock provider to see and liken materials before buying . For the budget - minded , Craigslist and Freecycle often have list from people looking to get rid of careen materials . count rock candy prey or instinctive areas that allow rockhounding .
Vary the rocks.
To produce dividing line and visual interest , vary the size of it and physique of the rock music . employ a mix of material such as stone , pebbles and gravel .
Placement.
Use a few well - placed declamatory rocks as master focal points to anchor the space and install those first . allow for space between the rocks for plants to maturate . small complementary stones or crushed rock placed around the larger rocks will unify the intent .
Keep color in mind.
take larger rocks in short chromaticity so the landscape does n’t feel dark and heavy . Vary the color and tone of other fabric to contribute demarcation and visual interestingness .
Instill order.
To keep the designing from looking too busy , choose rock with completing colors and physique . put out swath of the same pebble or gravel rather than mixing too many materials together .
HOW TO PLANT A ROCK GARDEN
This rock garden features plant that thrive in partial shade , including fern , bleeding heart , hellebores and ‘ Bowles Golden ’ sedge ( Carex ) . Designer : Philip Thornburg , Winterbloom Landscaping . Photo : Janet Loughrey .
Soil matters.
Create an surroundings that is hospitable to your prefer plant . Alpine industrial plant and other drought - tolerant plants will ask sandy soil with needlelike drain . Others , such as ferns and hostas , will require richer soil and more moisture .
Pick the right plants.
Choose plant life that will thrive in your climate . Traditional rock ‘n’ roll gardens include salmagundi that are alpine in origin , as the conditions simulate their native home ground . Rock garden plants tend to be smaller to complement the scale of the rock . Use perennial , ornamental grasses and small shrubs to add perpendicular height . Creeping ground cover will soften the show of the grueling rocks . total stout bulb such as narcissus , wild tulips and alliums for line . unified evergreen dwarf and creeping conifers for year - round sake . For a shade garden , choose mosses , fern and hostas .
Complement and contrast.
To lend cohesion , choose plants with symmetrical or complementary colors to the rock and roll . practice a mix of plants with flush and leafage interest and commingle upright and creeping phase .
ROCK GARDEN PLANTS
Also see:24 Rock Garden Plants for a Colorful Low - Maintenance Garden
MAINTAINING A ROCK GARDEN
Designer Burl Mostul , Villa Catalana . Photo : Janet Loughrey .
Water.
rock assimilate heat , especially in a sunny situation , so plants can dry out cursorily . Make certain plants receive adequate weewee , especially during hot spells .
Fertilize.
Some flora such as alpines and succulents need little or no supplemental fertilizer , while others such as coral bells and hostas will benefit from a boost of nutrient . search your plants needs and fertilize accordingly .
Weed.
A layer of smaller rocks or gravel acts as a lifelike weed suppressant , help to keep the landscape low-pitched - upkeep . Keep areas free from weeds so works do n’t get overwhelmed or deprived of pee and food . Eventually , plants should fill in enough to suppress most weeds .
Prune.
Cut out dead growth and move out spend flowers to advance unexampled growth and keep a neat appearance .
ROCK GARDEN IDEAS
Keep rock music in exfoliation with the yard . In this humble outer space , rock are heap to produce a sculptural water characteristic , while a individual boulder place strategically on the other side of the way helps balance the composition . room decorator : Barbara Hilty and Adriana Berry . exposure : Janet Loughrey .
See more ofthis garden , include before / after photos and works used . pic by : Proven Winners .
find fault a style that jibe your family and landscape . This Asian - style rock garden kindle a sense of calm and society . decorator : Helena Wagner , 4 Seasons Gardens . Photo : Janet Loughrey .
Creeping groundcovers such as woolly thyme can be used to soften hard rock and roll surfaces . nurseryman : Karen Olberding . photograph : Janet Loughrey .
Large shell rock garden or hillside bench . interior designer : Burl Mostul , Villa Catalana . Photo : Janet Loughrey .
Leave space between rocks for flora to grow . nurseryman : : Karen Olberding . picture : Janet Loughrey .
