How to Make a Rock Garden

Sometimes less is more: How to make an exciting rock garden

"Help! I am making a rock garden, but I don't know what to use or where to start!"

Rock gardens have a unique kind of beauty that helps improve the landscaping of your yard and increases the value of your home. Spending time and energy creating a rock garden, is worth the effort. It is not that expensive, if you use materials you have on hand.

Here are some guidelines for you to follow, if you have never tried to create a rock garden.

Determine a good location for your rock garden:

Many times, there are areas in your yard that are difficult to landscape. The grass does not seem to grow well there or the soil is too sandy and dry. Maybe you have a steep slope, where it is hard to cut the grass. Rather than trying to fix these areas in a traditional manner, consider the possibility of creating your rock garden there. The possibilities are endless. It is just a matter of using your ingenuity.

Find suitable rocks for your rock garden:

When you are landscaping, placing sod or planting grass, you will likely find a collection of rocks in your yard. Maybe they are different colors, sizes and shapes. Perhaps you don't know what to do with them.

For the moment, just put them in the location where you have decided to create a rock garden. Don't worry about placing them in any sort of an arrangement, but if you have a couple that are unusual, keep those separate. You may be able to use them at the entrance to your rock garden or perhaps, they might be perfect in the middle or somewhere towards the back.

Consider your options.

Another possibility with respect to obtaining rockery rocks, involves searching for them, when you are on the beach, hiking or camping, in the wilderness. On the beach, you may find smooth, round rocks repeatedly battered by the waves. It does require work to get them home, but it may be worth it.

Along a creek in the wilderness, you might find odd-shaped, flat rocks or larger ones with big pits or holes. The flat ones can be stepping stones for a pathway in your rock garden or you might use them to build a retaining wall. The ones with holes are perfect for rock gardens, as you can place succulent plants in the holes.

Do some garden shop browsing and you may find rather unusual, ornamental rocks. Consider using a large piece of driftwood or a dried tree trunk.

Creating an elevated, a non-elevated or a sunken rock garden:

Making an elevated rock garden is the easiest way to build one. Do you have debris around your yard that you need to dispose of, in some way? This could include pieces of old tree trunks or branches, weeds from the garden, leaves, bark, pine needles or sawdust. All of these will turn into natural compost over time, if you put it in your rock garden. Break up anything that is too large into smaller pieces.

Rather than spending a lot of time digging up the soil, which can be hard work, in a rough area, place all of this potential compost in the designated rock garden area, around your rocks. Do not cover them over completely and make certain that the ones that you and others find interesting or exciting, are placed in a location where you will be able to see them.

If it is a non-elevated rock garden you want to create, you may need to dig up some of the grass or sod first, but you can use the composting material. Place the rocks where you want them and then, place the compost around them.

If you are making a sunken garden, the grass and sod that you dig up may be used along one side or for a retaining wall. Be creative, but remember that sunken gardens need proper drainage, so make certain that you know where the water will go, when it rains. Creating a small fishpond might work well and could prove to be attractive, as well.

Build a pathway through your rock garden: 

Before you plant anything, have a basic plan with respect to its potential layout. Decide how to place your stones, in order to create a pathway. This is a good idea, because you want to be able to walk through your rock garden to do your planting or watering. Do you have a fountain or ornaments that you want to display? Decide where they are going to be placed.

Choosing trees, shrubs and plants for a rock garden:

The kinds of trees, shrubs and plants that you use in your rock garden, will determine the kind of soil that they will need. Choose and place your plants carefully, because you do want your rock garden to look good, throughout the entire year. Make certain that what you plant, will grow well under the same conditions.

Begin by planting several small trees, ornamental shrubs or bushes. For example, small junipers will do well in a rock garden. Then, you might plant a white Rose of Sharon, a number of rose bushes or brightly colored ornamental shrubs. The number of shrubs will depend upon how large your rock garden is going to be. If you use something like forsythia or lilacs, they may grow too large or you will have to trim them back regularly.

Set the containers that they come in, where you think they might look good. Then, stand back and take a look at them, from a distance. Ask yourself if there may be a better location for them.

Place a few large rocks near the trees, shrubs and bushes, but allow room for growth. Remember that trees and shrubs will get bigger and may cover your rocks, in time, so do not place them too close together. Sometimes less is more.

Make certain that you plant everything deep enough so that it will not dry out. Put composting material or peat moss around the roots, so they will retain their moisture. Remember to water and fertilize everything well, when you are planting. If you have old leaves, sawdust or bark, put a good layer underneath the trees, shrubs and bushes for mulch.

Choosing plants for your rock garden:

Choosing the plants for your rock garden is the fun part. Try to find plants that will stay attractive for the entire growing season. Look for some brightly colored, flowering plants that have different shapes, sizes and heights.

Designate certain areas for flower bulbs like crocuses, daffodils and tulips. You may or may not be able to plant these, depending upon the time of the year, but make certain that you have reserved an area for them. They look wonderful in the spring.

Look for succulents, like hens and chickens and place these in the holes in the rocks or in between the rocks. Allow room for them to expand, because they will.

Find low lying plants that will spread and blossom in the spring, like creeping phlox. It will grow up over the rocks, too.

Purchase plants that will blossom in the summer and some that will be in full bloom, in the fall. Daisies are excellent rockery plants and they come in many different colors.

Baby's breath is something you might consider. It can be used in fresh flower arrangements or for dried flower arrangements, in the winter.

Remember the height and location of your plants, when you are placing them in your rock garden. Take into consideration how much sun, shade and water, they will need. Plant everything carefully, but do not try to put too many plants in your rock garden, at first. You can always add more, later  Who knows, maybe your neighbors will give you a few.

Give your rock garden finishing touches:

After you have put all of your plants in place, now look at anything else your rock garden may require in order to look exciting. You may need to add more soil or composting material in certain areas or you might

consider covering the soil of your entire rock garden with a layer of sawdust, pine needles or bark. This will act as mulch and help to keep the weeds down later. It will give your rock garden a finished appearance.

It may be possible to obtain white, red, orange or other, colored rock chips to place around the stepping stones, in your rock garden. If you use them, it is easier to pick them up at a later date, if you have placed them on burlap or a sheet of plastic. Burlap works well, but will decay over time. Plastic may present a problem too, as the rain may not be able to soak into the soil.

Find small, solar lights to line your walkway and you will be able to enjoy your rock garden, even in the evening. Add a few ornaments, just for fun.

Just use your creativity. Remember that the sky is the limit with respect to what you can do with your rock garden.