How To Design A Small Rock Garden

Use perennials ornamental grasses and small shrubs to add vertical height.

How to design a small rock garden. Rock gardens also known as alpine gardens began in the british islands. Rock gardens do not have to be on a grand scale or include monumental works of earth and stone says thomas freeth rock garden supervisor at the royal botanic gardens kew. Try to cover as much of the surface as possible with rocks and plants.

Create a whole garden with conifers tucking them between rocks or pair the focal point evergreens with colorful blooms for contrast. A rock sitting on top of the ground looks out of place. Add sturdy bulbs such as narcissus wild tulips and alliums for contrast.

Rock garden plants tend to be smaller to complement the scale of the rocks. To further anchor the rocks visually into the garden bury portions of the rock down into the soil. For a cohesive look vary foliage textures but stick to a unified color theme such as silvery blue.

Creeping groundcovers will soften the appearance of the hard rocks. Mix darker pebbles and stones into the areas near your lighter large rocks and boulders. Then once all the rocks are in place you can add the plants you want.

Use the trees on the site and perhaps you could design a small rock garden around them. You can create a beautiful rock garden with flowers foliage ponds waterfalls and of course rocks. Dwarf conifers are an ideal addition to any rock garden.

Lava rock makes for a great filler between larger light colored rocks. You can design your rock garden to be any size and shape or as simple or elaborate as you d like. If certain sections are feeling like they might be too dark find another small light colored rock that has a different texture from the larger rock.