Friday 9 March 2012

TIPS FOR CREATING YOUR OWN ROCK GARDEN

Rock Gardens are slowly becoming popular nowadays due to the fact that they can be maintained easily as well as they give a unique natural view to the garden.  A Rock Garden does not need that flat and smooth ground cover as they can easily be built on uneven patch of land.   

These Rock Garden are also called as Alpine Gardens or Rockery, the Japanese called it a Zen Garden.  It gets its name because this type of garden makes use of large amount of rocks and stones of all sizes and shapes. 

Following are some tips for creating your beautiful Rock Garden in your backyard.
·        Design your Garden – This is the first step for creating your Rock Garden.  Make a sketch of your basic garden.  If you have a natural land already selected, then you can take this land as the basis for your garden design.  Give emphasis to the color and texture of the rocks when designing.
·        Simple and Natural Feel - The most important aspect of creating a rock garden is to make it as simple as possible.  Try to make it natural by way of placing the rocks in a natural way.  Do not overcrowd the garden with rocks or plants.  See to it that the plants blend well with the rocks that you have placed.
·        Do not use Excessive Plants - Always stamp it on your mind that you are creating a Rock Garden and not a Flower or Plants Garden.  See to it that you do not overemphasize the plants in the garden.  These plants should only compliment the rocks that you are placing.   Do not overcrowd the garden with plants and few rocks.
·        Type of Rocks - The rocks too should be flat and well-anchored which will not disturb the natural look of the garden.  These rocks should not be an obstacle but should provide a beautiful look to the garden.  Try to select rocks that look natural in the surroundings.  Try to use local rocks from your own property or else visit the local stone yard for a different variety.  Each rock has a story to tell and as such study these rocks and make note of their texture.  Select stones and rocks which have similar texture and anchor these rocks with the textures on the top side giving a unique look to the garden.
·        Type of Plants – Try to use low-maintenance plants in your rock garden. The plants should be selected carefully so as not to override the basic concept of Rock Garden.  Smaller growing specimen should be given priority. Shrubs and small dwarf trees should be selected for planting.  Shrubs such as boxwood, dwarf rhododendron, or Scotch heather can be chosen. The flowering plants may include Hollywood Juniper, Japanese Black Pine, Hinoki Cypress or Japanese Maples.  Other plant and flower varieties may include perennial, hardy ferns, flowering plants, miniature rose or spring flowering buds.   
·        Take Expert Advice – While preparing a Rock Garden, you can always take the advice from your local Nursery for the plants which would be required to be planted along with the rocks. They can provide you with useful tips on selecting the plants and the soil that can be used.  Also the help of a landscape designer can be taken if you have to further enhance the beauty of the Garden.
·        Creating slopes - If you have a natural slope in your backyard, than it is the perfect location for your rock garden.  If not, try to elevate the ground and create your own slope to the Rock Garden as the concept of a Rock Garden is based on the alpine meadow.  These slopes may be difficult to mow and hard to maintain but are essential for creating the rock garden.  Also, see to it that the rock garden is situated where there is a lot of sunlight available.
·        The Decorating Aspect – Now that you have planted the trees and plants and placed the rocks in your garden, how about putting up a waterfall or a pond in your garden.  This gives an interesting aspect to the Rock Garden.  If possible, try to make a stone or cobbled pathway along the rocks giving it a natural look.  A stone staircase can be another choice. 

Taking note of these tips while creating your own Rock Garden can help you a great deal in planning your garden.    

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