Big rocks are difficult to transport and set up - plan well in advance where to place them.
A nice landscaping job never goes out of style, but where is the best place to begin when deciding to put your own creative spin on garden design? Take a look at a few ideas below.
Installing large rocks in the rock garden provides ample freedom to implement creativity in order to enhance the garden’s appeal. The combination of stones of varying sizes is another good option to consider. A rock garden made of small pebbles is suited for small plants.
Rock gardens requires a different type of soil. It needs to be of good quality and more nutritious to support plant growth. Additionally, they need a drainage system for the vegetation to avoid damage to the plant roots. Use coarse sand to boost aeration. Sharp-edged sand is another good option. Add more soil to support medium-sized trees.
To facilitate better plant growth, decide in advance the right time to build the rock garden based on what will be planted in it. For example, if planting roses, the best time to make the rock garden is cold weather. To grow sunflower or flora that grow in the hot season, build a rock garden in summer.
The rock garden will have multiple courses, also called layers. Below are the steps to design and make a rock garden:
Remove the vegetation and other debris from the area where the rock garden will be built. Ensure removing vegetation from roots to avoid them from growing again in the future. Fill the area inside the first course (also called the base layer) with sandy soil to facilitate proper drainage. Use large and the least alluring stones to build this base layer.
The middle layer is the most noticeable one among all layers in a rock garden. Use rocks lighter than those used in the base layer to build the middle layer. Consider using attractive stones to enhance the garden's appeal. The purpose of this layer is to generate ample space to plant new vegetation. Ensure sufficient gap and distance between the stones in the middle layer to allow plants to grow.
Select the vegetation matching the rock garden’s theme. Make sure the plants get enough water and sunlight in the garden. Try a variety of plants varying in height and stylish leaves to achieve a pleasing visual effect.
Below are some ideal plants suited to a rock garden.
Native shrubs offer a good shade in the garden. The primary purpose of these plants is to enhance the garden’s visual effect.
Small shrubs including Callistemon John, Correa reflexa, Kunzea ambigua, Westringia fruticose, dwarf forms of Acacia howittii, Baeckea virgata and Agonis flexuosa.
Other shrub options are Agave attenuate (succulent), Nandina Domestica nana, Rhaphiolepis indica, Strelitzia reginae, Abelia Grandiflora dwarf, Polygala myrtifolia, Viburnum Tinus.
Turf is installed to make the garden fit for sitting and relaxing. The three best heat coping and less invasive varieties are Buffalo varieties, Empire Zoysia and Queensland Blue Couch. Rock gardens located along the roadside should have the Empire turf due to its less mowing demand. Queensland Blue Couch invites weed in the garden, hence less preferred for roadside gardens.
Strappy leaf flora can survive scorching weather conditions. Agapanthus is highly recommended in addition to Dietes. Various categories of strappy leaf plants include Lomandra Tanika: It can handle hot temperatures and most appropriate in Port Macquarie and South Australia. Lomandra Hystrix: This plant can endure wet feet or dry conditions. Katie Belles: It is a large plant with magnificent yellow flowers.
To make a good rock garden that stands outs, always be cautious about the stone and rock arrangement. Build the garden edge with the big rocks and add a stone nursery to achieve a natural look. Place assorted rocks and stones in the gaps between the plants to visualise plants growing naturally through the gaps between the rocks. Cover a significant portion of the garden with rocks and plants. Fill any remaining small gaps with small pebbles and statues. Pick a combination of large rocks, stones and small rocks for a variety of tone and surface. Gravel is ideal for filling in empty spots, while slab-like rocks are best for making edges. Draw a rough sketch of the garden design in mind and consult a landscape designer for better results. Big rocks are difficult to transport and set up; hence plan well in advance where to place them based on the garden design. Use harsh-toned rocks to achieve a tough appearance. Smooth stones and or clean white rocks give a conventional appearance similar to Japanese stone nurseries and Zen rock gardens. Make the garden’s appearance that fits the home's style. Put big rocks in lighter hues to avoid a dull and heavy scene. Use materials of varying shades and tones to get different contrast and visuals.
Building a rockery garden in a limited area requires extra caution and planning. The process is mostly the same, with minor differences outlined below.
Plan where the garden will be built. Which portion of the yard, garden or lawn will be used to make a small rockery garden? Clear the area by eliminating weed and debris. Buy extra soil, sand, gravel, large and medium rocks and pebbles.
Make sure to have designs and ideas in mind and on paper. Surf the internet to find small rock garden ideas to best suit the area.
A small garden will have few big rocks. Consider using medium-sized rocks and pebbles. Always opt for small plants and avoid trees in a small rockery garden. Flowering plants and shrubs are some excellent preferences. To achieve a colourful appearance, select plants with different leaf shades. To accomplish a natural look, add a layer of gravel on top of the base layer. Avoid using statues due to limited space in the garden.
Large rocks at the bottom are optional. Homeowners can add a gravel layer directly to the soil. Before adding gravel, make sure to have enough good quality soil to facilitate the healthy growth of plants. Add a few more large rocks at random places on the base layer along with the gravel. Make the boundary with medium-sized rocks and large pebbles. Plant new vegetation and make designs using small pebbles. Add a few more large and medium rocks depending on how much space is left.