Start with the basics
Rock garden basics
Anyone can start their very own rock garden. All you need is access to rocks, plants and soil. So this means if you are in a city or live in an apartment, you may want to consider hosting your first rock garden on a rooftop or balcony.
To begin the process of choosing your rock garden location, decide which direction gets most exposure to the sun and what areas are sheltered from wind and frost. Your chosen location should get at least 6-8 hours of sunshine a day during the summer months. This is important for growing alpine plants as these varieties thrive in hot conditions and will not survive in extended periods of shade.
Next comes choosing the rock types that are best suited to your area’s climate and surrounding features (e.g., style of home). If your surroundings have a modern feel, it is recommended that you go for bolder stones with expansive color like granite or slate.
Decide on your zone
Please be sure to research the hardiness of your plant material. Vermont is in Zone 4, so we will only be recommending plants that are suitable for Zone 4 or colder. To find your USDA Zone, go here and enter your zip code: http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/InteractiveMap.aspx
Once you know what zone you are in, you can use that information when researching plants and choosing bulbs to buy (bulbs will always tell you their hardiness zone). A good example of a very hardy plant that grows well in our area is Sedum cauticola ‘Lidakense.’ This great groundcover spreads quickly to form a dense mat, stays green all winter long, and is covered with tiny pink flowers throughout summer. It’s also very drought-tolerant once it gets established!
Use hardy plants
To make sure your rock garden serves its purpose as a meditative and relaxing sanctuary, you should plan out some hardy plants that can weather the elements.
When choosing your plants, it’s important to remember that the size of your garden and the amount of sunlight it gets will affect what you can plant and where you can place them. There are many factors to consider, but here is a general list of hardy plants:
Cold climates – Siberian iris, Sedums, Hardy geraniums
Hot/dry climates – Yarrow, Daylilies, Salvia
Wet climates – Astilbe varieties, Hosta varieties
Windy climates – Oriental poppies, Pycnanthemum (mountain mint)
Choose rocks that complement your yard
When choosing rocks, there are many things to consider. Take the time to think about what will look best in your yard, as well as what you can reasonably transport from one location to another. Consider the following:
- Choose a rock that is native to your region of the country; these will have more earthy tonalities and be complementary to other plants in your garden.
- Use rocks that are already in your yard, such as large boulders; transporting them across long distances may be difficult.
- Use rocks that are available locally. Many areas have local quarries where you can get great deals on materials. However, don’t settle for any rock—only choose materials that match the aesthetic you want for your project! Ensure it’s large enough so when placed adjacent other objects like plants or flowers they’ll still stand out without being too “big.”
Strategically place your garden
You want to place your rock garden strategically in your yard. Try to put it where you will see it, but also make sure the rock garden will get plenty of sun. It’s best if your rock garden receives at least six hours per day of sun. If you have a small yard, putting a rock garden in a corner can help save space.
Consider the weather
When you’re choosing what plants to put in your rock garden, it’s important to consider the weather conditions in the area where you live. It would be sad to spend all that time planting something, only for it to die because of a heat wave or heavy downpours. Here are some things you should look out for:
- Sun and shade
- Rain and drought
- Wind and wind protection
- Heat and cold
Once you have an idea of which plants will suit your particular environment, then you can start putting them in your rock garden!
Make a plan before you dig
Before you start digging and hauling rocks, you should have a plan. You’ll need to know where the plants and rocks go, how deep the garden is, where to get your materials and what tools you need. The more detailed your plan is the better, so you can minimize surprises during construction and maximize satisfaction once it’s complete.
A little planning can help you create a rock garden that will thrive.
A rock garden is an ideal way to include hardy plants in your landscaping, as well as a source of beautiful greenery. Once you know how to plan one out, it’s easy to maintain and operate.
It helps if you have a little bit of planning in mind when you’re starting out, so that you don’t end up with a landscape full of plants that don’t thrive or look nice.
You might start by making sketches on paper of the area where your rocks will eventually be placed. This can help you figure out which rocks are the right size for your garden and which areas will receive sunlight from all sides. And it also takes care of some issues like placement and proportion that can trip up even the most experienced rock gardeners!Rock Garden Ideas: A blog about helping you create a rock garden.
Welcome to Rock Garden Ideas! We’re excited to help you build the outdoor oasis of your dreams.
The great thing about rock gardens is that they work for people with just about any size yard, and any skill level. You can build a classic, Zen-style rock garden in just minutes, or get as complex as you want. The most important thing is to have fun with it!
One of our favorite things about rock gardens is that there are many different styles—and all of them are gorgeous. For example, if you’re looking for something traditional and low-maintenance, you can try your hand at one of these easy projects:
-A Japanese-style dry streambed or karesansui garden
-A classic Zen rock garden
-A Succulent Rock Garden (these are incredibly popular right now!)
Welcome to Rock Garden Ideas!
We’re so glad you’ve stopped by. We’re here to help you create the rock garden of your dreams. We believe you can do it, and our goal is to provide you with all the tools, tips, and tricks you need along the way.
Welcome to Rock Garden Ideas! We’re here to help you bring the majesty of a rock garden into your home, whether it’s a little backyard space or an entire acre.
You’ll find guides on all sorts of topics, including:
how to build a rock garden
how to decorate your rock garden
which kinds of plants go best in your rock garden
awesome DIY projects you can do in your rock garden
Plus, we’ve got plenty of inspiration for your rock-garden-decorating projects.
This is our first post!
We’re so excited to have you here. Today, we’re going to cover getting started with your rock garden.
Where do you find rocks?
First of all, you’ve got to find some rocks. You can find them anywhere, and they can be any size or shape—big, small, round, square, triangular, jagged. The possibilities are endless!
Hi there! Thanks so much for stopping by [product name]. We’re an online resource dedicated to helping you create the rock garden of your dreams.
From soil prep to plant selection, we’ve got you covered. If you’re new to rock gardening, start with some of our how-to articles. Or if you’re looking for a quick fix, pop over to our list of plants that work in any rock garden. If you have a question about specific plants, check out our plant profiles and ask your question in the comments on the plant page. If you’re more of a visual learner, check out some of our videos about how to make sure your rock garden thrives!
Whatever kind of gardener you are, we’re here for you. We hope you find what you need—and we’d love it if you’d let us know if there’s anything else we can do to help!
Welcome!
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of a beautiful rock garden. It’s such a simple thing, but there’s something so satisfying and calming about it. And from the bottom of our hearts, we want you to experience it, too.
That’s why we’re here: to help you create your own rock garden. We know that it can seem intimidating at first—there are so many different types of rocks out there, and how does one even know where to begin?
But that’s why we’re here—to be your guide for the whole process. We have so many great ideas for both indoor and outdoor rock gardens, from the materials you need to get started to ways you can use them in creative ways.
So relax, kick back, and prepare to enjoy your journey into rock gardening!
