Landscaping With Rocks

New Landscaping Information Service

A term that is very comprehensive and sometimes misleading. It is usually used to indicate only planting, instead of planting in conjunction with the installation other landscape features -- walks, walls, patios, decks, etc.

Rocks are the basis of our soils, and where soils need regenerating one way is to use finely crushed stone. But we are more concerned with with rocks, where they are visible above the soil. They can be used as points of interest which draw the eye, or as a backdrop for other things.

Landscaping with Rock Mulches.

Ideal for establishing desert or arid-land plants, especially in non-arid areas. The general idea is to cover the ground with a layer of stones above a strong plastic membrane which is used to suppress weed growth. It helps to plan for a perimeter of paving stones or larger rocks, to retain the rock mulch. The mulch itself can be small graded pebbles or stones (10cm to 25mm) or larger pieces up to 75mm. (in the UK these are called rejects – i.e. pebbles not suitable for concrete making). Cut holes in the plastic layer to plant palm trees, yuccas, callistemons and other plants that will enjoy the heat reflected from the stones. Make arrangements for keeping the plants themselves well watered. If you have a choice of colours then light ones in shaded areas (marble chippings ideal) and darker slates and volcanic rocks in sunny ones.

Rockeries and Alpine Gardens.

Once very fashionable in the UK, but now derided as being unmanageable refuges for weeds. There were two main problems:-

rockeries were attempted from unorganised piles of moderate sized rocks that were simply tipped on site.
weed suppression was difficult.
inappropriate plants were used.

Our idea for with rocks in rockeries is to plan for a large range in sizes of stones – huge and small. You should need help to move them, or else you are thinking too small. You should make weed suppression an integral part of the design, especially in the hollows and dips between rock which will contain the plants. And please use plants that really benfit from a rocky landscape – Alpines, Cacti (in the arid parts of the US), low growing conifers,

Artifical Tufa or Hyper Tufa. An alternative to real rocks in is making your own lightweight rocks. You do it by moulding rocks using a mixture of cement, sand and lightweight fillers such as peat and moss. Don’t take our word for it – there are some sources of information and recipes on the internet.

Massive Rocks, Menhirs and Fences. In our part of France (Brittany) all these things abound. Fences are made of 1200 – 1500mm high fragments of slate. Menhirs are on sale at garden centres and nurseries. These rocks are not available everywhere but if you live in an area where any quarrying is done, investigate whether there could be stone suitable for your backyard.

Water Features. Rocks are an integral part of water features. The rock landscape is formed to make pools, dams, and ledges for water to spill over.

Other articles on Landscaping:-

Landscaping With Rocks
garden landscaping ideas especially home and garden ideas
Arizona Landscaping
Landscaping Software
Landscaping Ideas
Front Yard Landscaping Ideas
Free Landscaping Software
Free Landscaping Ideas
Backyard Landscaping
Backyard Landscaping Ideas
Wild Flower Meadow Schemes

If there is a specific topic related to that you would like us to cover, please contact us at any time.

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