Rock gardening on the West Coast has come a long way. The early English rock garden was likely to be a scaled-down replica of some minute fraction of the Alps, which an English gentleman wished to reproduce in his garden. Although the construction was sound and the plant material superb, the overall effect was not … Read more
Laying up the rocks for a rock garden is probably too complex a subject for a short article. Besides, the subject has been covered fairly well in standard books which are available from libraries. But, whereas the books are likely to emphasize what must be accomplished in this direction, indeed, they tread a little light … Read more
Where do I get the stones for my rock garden? Happy is the gardener if the rocks are already on the property, such as a natural ledge, an old quarry, or a boulder-strewn field. Then, man has merely to rearrange a bit the stones provided by nature, add soil and a few plants and the … Read more
Low-growing veronicas are among the best rock plants; even out of bloom, they are attractive, and when sheeted with blue or white, or pink flowers, they are truly delightful. Plants that hold their foliage beauty through the winter are half the charm of a rock garden and a real comfort to the gardener. Many of … Read more
When it comes to building a rock garden, some folks are blissfully overconfident, while most of us are altogether too timid. In truth, rock gardening is one of the most aesthetic approaches to landscape design and plant appreciation; it demands the utmost in fine taste from all who practice it. But if you consider yourself … Read more
Rocks, pastel drifts of miniature bloom, trickling water, and green shade – all so well placed that all suggestion of design is lost in the satisfying whole – that is Allwood, woodland rock garden of Leonard J. Buck at Four Hills, New Jersey. This garden, still in the progress of construction, is currently attracting the … Read more
The first week of July brings to my rock garden a color combination that is hard to beat. Even the riot of spring bulbs, primroses, violas, daphne, pulmonaria, and other early flowers does not surpass the display of four easily grown July-blooming perennials. Erigeron Speciosus And Geranium Sanguineum One of these four perennials is the … Read more
When my wife and I moved to our farm in the hills a few years ago, we found a great rock on the lawn near the old stone farmhouse, over 51′ feet around and some 4′ feet high. It must have become “rooted” there during the ice age. Someone in the old days had planted … Read more
While thinking of all the places where rock gardens are to be seen or of sites where rock plants might be growing, there seem to be three types of terrain requiring very different efforts on the part of man. The more hopeful areas are those supplied with natural rocks and perhaps with small plants or … Read more
My woodland rock garden abounds in the shade, for it is nestled among tulip trees, dogwoods, tall oaks, and other deciduous trees. The many rocky outcrops and slopes face various directions and are planted with suitable material to give a natural though well-landscaped appearance. Much of the stone remains in its original natural position, but … Read more