If your property has a slope dotted with interesting rock formations or time, is a perfect place for rock gardens. If nature does not provide the ideal situation, you only need a few loads of topsoil and rocks. If you must bring your own rocks and soil, start small. The work can be bigger than you think.
Rocks
Native stone in your area will look natural and will be cheaper and easier to obtain. Large rocks with irregular shapes look interesting in the rock garden, but remember that you need smaller rocks, too. Limestone is a good selection. Rock is soft and porous, so it allows moisture to penetrate, and some roots will be able to make their way through the rock. The limestone often has depressions that can be filled with dirt for planting mosses and lichens.
Place the stones in the lower, front part of the garden first and work upward. Shovel sufficient land around the rock to anchor it firmly. You may have to bury at least half of each rock. When the stones are in place, let the soil around them to settle in a couple of days, then take a look from afar to make sure you like the layout before restocking shrubs.
Plants
There are an infinite variety of plants to use. Low growing perennials are the best, but as many of them are better suited for rock gardens bloom in spring, you might do well with the strategic positioning of the summer flowering heathers, herbs and annuals to add color during the rest of the season.
Some purists consider rock garden should contain only those plants that grow naturally in rocky slopes in poor soil. Rock gardens, in any case are not positioned in cold weather and long winters, when these plants are doing well. When selecting plants, make sure it is the right solution for the climate and exposure.
Think of a rock garden as a ensemble of potted plants, and should be taken care of as such. It is also good that you loosen up the soil in each area from time to time with a small garden fork. Most rock plants survive and thrive in poor soil, but occasionally manure or compost will give them momentum.
The usual care treatment is to cut any leggy plants after flowering, cut the dead portions, and dividing any plants that are root bound or too large for its space. Check for insects and diseases regularly. Snails can be particularly annoying because they enjoy protection from the rocks. Do not let weeds grow in crevices and angles. They easily can replace or suffocate plants in small areas.
As the rock garden plants are more susceptible than plants in the bed, may need more protection in winter. Heavy mulch should be applied before the first frost.
