Color in the Rock Garden
Many fall in love with the spectacular flowers in the Rocky Mountain
tundra and want to grow some at home. Rock gardens mix flowers and the
ruggedness of the mountains.
To begin a rock garden, select a spot that is open to light but is not
too hot. An east facing bank or berm is ideal. Soil generally must be amended,
or mixed with organic material, to make it porous. A mix of half native
topsoil and equal parts coarse sand, pea-sized gravel and compost is one
common recipe used by rock gardeners.
Don't be afraid to be expressive. Rock gardens look best when they are
bold and large, rather than puny and trivial. The rocks should all be of
the same source, but of different sizes. Avoid placing them regularly or
jumbling them randomly. The placement of rocks is an art and beginning
rock gardeners should look up some books on the subject, spend a little
time observing outcrops in nature, and try visiting successful rock gardens
to see how others have done it. Rock gardens are usually included on the
major garden tours in this area, and there is a large and active chapter
of the North American Rock Garden Society, which can also be a resource.
A mulch of gravel or a stone of similar color to the rocks in the garden
will trim a rock garden beautifully. Remember, a rock garden is not designed
for immediate impact. It will look sparse in its first year so plant lots
of tiny spring bulbs. You will be rewarded for years to come with this
sophisticated garden art form.
See also Rock Garden Design
