The first consideration that needs to be made when planning a rock garden is the location. It is important to consider the location of the rock garden in relation to other elements in your setting. A rock garden is to relate to nature over art, and therefore should not be in a formal setting, but linked to a natural garden setting, placed where the soil is uneven and rocks already appear in a geological reason.
After you have determined the location and the construction, you have the issue of the plants. Rock plants are plants that are rarely used in other type of gardening, and are often considered to be weeds. These issues need to be considered before you begin a list of plants. Some common plants are able to grow anywhere and by anyone, but the beauties of the rock garden are difficult to grow and have very stern condition of where they thrive.
When it comes to planting rock plants, the soil pockets have to be constructed for the individual needs of each plant, and unfortunately this effort goes unseen, since the little weeds seems to grow happily in its space. After the planting, the area needs special care and attention during all seasons, or it will turn into a pile of rocks and only weeds. You must understand the care of the plant, the care of the construction, and have insight into the requirements of the plants to reduce the maintenance and allow the garden to outlive average rock garden!
Theoretically a rock garden should thrive for many years, but often the love for the garden dies as the gardener makes a mistake, or the enthusiasm goes away. Besides common rock gardening, it may be good to include other effects like alps, wall gardens, a stepping stone walk way, bog gardens, floral effects, etc.
The elaboration of the planting depends on the knowledge of the plants and your ability to provide for these plants. There is no end to a rock garden, and it will never be completed. This task is a difficult, but completely rewarding and interesting project. The unusual design of garden will add a stunning accent to your décor, a wonderful difference from regular gardens.
You inspiration should come from nature, with the ability of man to create art as well. The ideal site for a rock garden can some from a piece of land that is not good for agriculture, a lawn, play area, or any site for human purpose. Areas that were thought to be useless can become wonderful sites for rock gardens. The vegetation is unlike that which is grown in formal gardens. It is completely its own type, with the appearance it comes from an entirely different planet.
When it comes to a rock garden, a smaller plant is more beloved than a large one. And tiny plants thought to be weeds, are actually admired for their kneeling position. The lure of rock plants are designed to a special cult. The rocks lend an interest in their shape and geology, adding beauty to the foliage. The rock garden should be more plant life than rock surface, but the rocks should be interesting as the plant life will be dormant for parts of the year.
With a special planting list, you can create beautiful blooms far into the summer and autumn. You can create a rock garden in any climate or country where rocks are available. The mechanical construction will not change on the climate, but the plants you can use may change depending on the region. The Grand Canyon has Cacti and Pentstemons while a cliff in Labrador blooms in Primrose and Saxifrage. The gardening practice for rock gardens follow the English climates and methods, but when we use plants based upon our climate, a rock garden should thrive wherever you place the rocks.
