The design all depends on your preferences and the amount of space and rock you have to work with.
If you plant it thoughtfully, it also won’t require a lot of maintenance.
A rock garden is a gardenor part of a gardenthat uses rocks as its primary form of landscaping.
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There may be stones and gravel used throughout the garden to form pathways, borders, and decorative elements.
Plants that thrive within rocky soil and low-moisture conditions are planted throughout.
Often, these gardens may have a meditative, sculptural look.
Illustration: The Spruce, 2018
Because of their adaptability, they’re ideal for a rock garden.
This will help save time later, especially as you’re choosing where different plants and stones will go.
Choose plants that thrive in well-drained soil and have similar watering requirements.
These plants should be suitable for the amount of sunlight the garden receives.Drought-resistant plantsare best for rock gardens.
Finally, seek variation in plant height and leaf texture for maximum visual impact and interest.
Add fertilizer and any amendments that will help them thrive.
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This forms the foundation of your garden and creates elevation above the surrounding ground.
Add Soil
Fill the area inside the first course with sandy soil, which provides good drainage.
If all you have is a clay soil, add sand and compost to it to promote better drainage.
David Beaulieu
Walk on the soil to pack it down.
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Add the Second Course
Plan the second course of stones.
The second course should provide plenty of room for planting between the bed perimeter and the second-course stones.
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Plant Your Rock Garden
Arrange the plants in yourrock garden designwhile they are still in their pots.
Keep in mind that you will intersperse rocks among the plants.
Give your rock garden a “grown-in-place” look by layering while you plant.
David Beaulieu
venture to cover as much of the surface as possible with rocks and plants.
Most rock gardens will require a layer of a few inches of sand on top of the soil.
This will help anchor the rocks and give them something to sink into.
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If you’re using smaller stones, a rock garden should be two inches deep.
For gardens with larger stones, they could be as deep as eight inches.
David Beaulieu
David Beaulieu
