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Rock gardens for small spaces


Rock Garden Ideas for Small Spaces

By

David Beaulieu

David Beaulieu

David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 11/07/22

The Spruce / Christopher Lee

In This Article

Project Overview

Rock garden designs can range from to sprawling, naturalistic creations to faux dried river beds to rustic mounds of stones, soil, and plants. It all depends on your preferences and the amount of space (and rock) you have to work with. If you have a small area, often the best design is a simple, round raised bed made of select rocks. This design can fit neatly into any well-chosen nook and will not be in the way when you mow your lawn. If you plant it thoughtfully, it also won't require a lot of maintenance.

Illustration: The Spruce, 2018

Click Play to Learn How to Build Rock Gardens for Small Spaces

Equipment / Tools

Materials

Instructions

  1. Build the First Course

    Clear the area of grass or other organic material, if necessary. Be sure to dig up sod and other plants below the roots to prevent new shoots from coming up later in your rock garden. Lay out a circle of rocks as the perimeter of your base, making the diameter about 4 feet (or as desired). This forms the foundation of your garden and creates some elevation above the surrounding ground. You can use up most of your largest, least attractive rocks in this bottom layer, but it does not require stones larger than about 12 inches in any dimension.

    Fill the area inside the first course with sandy soil, which provides good drainage. If all you have is a clayey soil, add sand and compost to it to promote better drainage. Walk on the soil to pack it down.

    David Beaulieu

  2. Add the Second Course

    Plan the second course of stones. This can simply be a smaller version of the first course, forming a circle within a circle, or it can take the form of one or more bands of stone that pass through the center of the bed perimeter. In any case, the second course should provide plenty of room for planting between the bed perimeter and the second-course stones as well as in any additional spaces created by the second course.

    Place the second course of stones according to your plan (and don't be afraid to experiment). Since you used your heaviest stones for the first course, you have lighter, more easily maneuvered stones to use for the second course. Try to use the best-looking stones here (any size is fine) because they will be more visible than the foundation rocks.

    David Beaulieu

  3. Select Plants for Your Rock Garden

    Start your plant selection by choosing a color scheme that will work well with your stone. For example, if the garden is made primarily with red sandstone, you'll want some plants with a hint of red in them, as well as some plants displaying silver, yellow, white, or other complementary colors.

    In addition to selecting for color, choose plants that thrive in well-drained soil. Also, confirm that the plants have similar watering requirements and are suitable for the amount of sunlight the garden receives. Drought-resistant plants are best, although you can make an exception for a particularly handsome specimen that you can treat as an annual (that is, temporary) plant. Finally, seek variation in plant height and leaf texture for maximum visual impact and interest.

    David Beaulieu

  4. Plant Your Rock Garden

    Arrange the plants in your rock garden while they are still in their pots. Usually, it's best to plant in threes: grouping three of the same kind of plant together or in a strategic arrangement. Keep in mind that you will intersperse rocks among the plants.

    Once you've settled on a layout, begin planting with additional soil as needed, adding rocks for decorative effect as you go (if you add all the rocks before planting, they'll just be in the way of your digging.) 

    If you want to cover small areas of soil with rock mulch (to prevent weed growth), use small stones of the same type (or at least similar coloring) as the major stones forming the rock structure.

    David Beaulieu

Sample Rock Garden Design

Here is a good sample selection of plants for a small rock garden, chosen for color, care requirements, size/height, and texture:

This rock garden will look nicer in spring and early summer (when the plants are in bloom) than it will in late summer. That's an example of a compromise you must make unless you have a space large enough to implement a sequence-of-bloom agenda. For colorful blooms throughout the summer, you can easily add the annual, portulaca, to the mix.

Another compromise is made with Scotch moss, which is not drought-tolerant. This is a case of sacrificing longevity for a temporary pop of color and texture. Scotch moss is suited to planting zones 4 to 9 and bears small white flowers, but it is grown mainly for the solid carpet of yellowish-green that it provides. It grows in full sun to part shade.

The only plant in this sample design that is grown more for its flower than its foliage is the daffodil. The relatively coarse textures of the lamb's ear, wood spurge, and hens and chicks contrast well with the other plants, all of which have more delicate foliage. As the years go by and the daffodil and lamb's ear spread, you can divide them. If you decide that they clutter up your rock garden too much, transplant them to somewhere else in the yard.

Tip

Give your rock garden a "grown-in-place" look by layering while you plant. Set a few plants first, then add rocks around them, as though the plants have grown up through the "cracks" in the rocks. Try to cover as much of the surface as possible with rocks and plants.

Watch Now: Painted Rock Crafts

40 Beautiful Rock Garden Ideas In 2022

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You probably had some aesthetic garden designs already outlined in your head, but then quickly realized that they were not the best to go by. Or you may altogether be bereft of ideas. Have you thought about having a rock garden? Check out these best rock garden ideas we’ve laid out for you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

A mini rockery rightly positioned in the front of your house is a beautiful idea, and even more so when the rocks are entwined by all-green plants. You can position the garden at the corners of your house, or structure it so that it surrounds your yard.

 

 

2. Alpine Garden with Small Water Pond and Bridge

 

 

If you love the texture of a smooth pebble, you may want to consider this rock garden design. It is a lovely garden that consists of a small pond constructed using pebbles and rocks. The number of boulders needed to construct it may make it pricey, but you could always customize it to make it budget-friendly.

 

 

3. Mediterranean

Dry Rock Garden

 

 

One of the most pleasant sights to behold is a garden of flowers. Nothing beats the refreshing feeling that can come from having those sweet-smelling plants thriving under the moderate conditions that are provided by your garden. This rock garden is one such Mediterranean-style garden with blossoms everywhere If you are not a fan of flowers, other options can make your yard the way you want it: think purple fountain grass, lavender, or a combination of both.

 

 

 

 

4. A Rock Garden with Alpine 

 

 

 

If you are a rock garden enthusiast, one of the first things you’ll notice is that alpine plants are commonly grown in them. This shouldn’t come as a surprise if the biology of the plant is properly understood. This garden arrangement is best positioned at the center of your house. It is an excellent option if you don’t want anything too pricey.

 

 

5. Rock Garden with Flower Bed and Step Path

 

 

This is another garden design that makes use of flower beds. Shrubs, a few boulders, and pebbles are mainly used in this garden design. If you wish to, a step path makes for easy access to your garden. Also, this is one of the cheaper rock garden solutions out there because the main material involved is pebbles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural stones, when situated in an appealing environment, are something everyone delights in. This is a very convenient garden arrangement that provides the space you need from everyday stressors. One beautiful thing about this rock garden is the fact that it does not require constant maintenance, plus it is easy to prepare. There is always room to add more plants of your choice in the gaps between the boulders. However, this is entirely up to you.

 

 

7. White Rock with Green Bush 

 

 

As its name indicates, this small rockery consists of white rock with an all-green bush planted in the middle. You have the option of substituting the stone lantern with any other stone you like, but it is advisable to keep it short and simple for a better flow with the garden arrangement. With this garden design, you will not need to worry about maintenance.

 

 

8. Rock Garden with Cactus Plants

 

 

 

This garden arrangement is nice and would definitely add a touch of beauty to your garden. Flowering cacti are beautiful plants, and the synergy they have with rocks and pebbles is second to none.

 

 

9. Stone Steps with Flowers

 

 

Narrow rocks are ideal for this particular rock garden design.  Like some rock garden ideas for small spaces in this post, this idea is also low maintenance and easy to prepare. It features nice-looking flowers stationed on both sides of pebbles and stone steps. Green shrubs and cacti can be used to replace the flowers if you like.

 

 

10. Hillside Rock Garden

 

 

 

This hillside garden design is ideal for large gardens. This design allows you to station stones at one point, a pebble pathway at another point, and then your flower beds in between your pebble pathway and your stones. There are plenty of bushes and cacti types in this garden idea which you can choose from.

 

 

11. Simple Rock Garden Ideas – Rock Steps

 

 

 

The arrangement of this garden is mainly dependent on the proper preparation of the soil, your stepping stone arrangement, and the type of plants you cultivate in your rock garden. To make it look even more beautiful, you might want to include some boulders in your arrangement.

 

 

12. Traditional Zen-style Japanese Garden

 

 

 

The Zen-style Japanese garden draws its inspiration from nature, making use of flowers and rocks to connote the beauty of Mother Nature. The build of this garden comprises an abundance of green shrubs and pebbles. There are also a few boulders dispersed throughout the garden. The greenery on the sides and middle of the garden would certainly brighten up your garden. All in all, this is a very serene design, appropriate for both small and large spaces.

 

 

 

 

13. River Rock Gardens

 

 

The design of this garden is basically hinged on the specific arrangement of pebbles to bring out a certain design pattern. If you do not have a thing for big pebbles, this design may not be the best garden design for you. There is always room for matching and mixing various designs to come up with a unique design for yourself.

 

 

14. Oriental Rock Garden

 

 

 

A rock garden of this type is suitable for both small and large gardens. It has caught the fancy of many rock garden fans because the classic design it adopts requires little maintenance.

 

 

15. Rock Garden with Water Pond and Pitcher

 

 

 

This is basically a simple set-up that is perfect for the center of a small garden or a larger garden. It is also a low-maintenance garden, with minimal preparation time involved.

 

 

16. Rock Mulch

 

 

 

This is a great gardening idea with one marvelous additional benefit. It makes use of the principle of mulching to help the soil of your garden retain its moisture and temperature. In addition, the rocks serve as a protective layer over the topsoil rather than being simply for decoration. The layer also promotes better irrigation, which your selection of plants can benefit from.

 

 

17. Rock Garden with Pond Landscape 

 

 

 

This is a gorgeous design that makes use of a combination of cacti, green shrubs, boulders, and pebbles. Also, there is a lovely pond landscape in the design of this garden. If you are keen on having a serene environment where you can relax, then this rock garden is your best bet. The water feature it contains will surely help you rest and relax.

 

 

18. Rock Boulder Formation

 

 

This rock garden comprises three boulders placed at the center. These boulders do not have to be statue-y or shiny to be placed at the center of your garden. Also, the boulders will have to complement one another as no boulder looks great on its own.

 

 

19. Rock Garden with Pond in Ornamental Backyard

 

 

 

Contrary to its name, this is a rock garden option that requires you to break your bank before creating it. The arrangement here consists of big boulders that complement a backyard brook. Even though this is not a very cheap option, the sense of serenity it brings to your home far outweighs the high costs needed to create it!

 

 

20. Garden Pebble Path

 

 

 

Having a path lined with pebbles in your garden is a beautiful addition to any regular garden. It is even lovelier when you step on these pebbles barefooted, as the amazing sensation it gives your feet is priceless. Also, having your pebble path lined with green shrubs and flowers on both sides is the way to go. 

 

 

21. Rock Garden with Bushes and Plants

 

 

The design of this rock garden requires you to include more boulders. You’ll have to properly tailor-make your soil to suit the plants you’ll grow there. If having different color patches is your thing, you can also scatter flowers of different colors in your garden.

 

 

22. Buddha-Inspired Rock Garden

 

 

 

You’ll most likely encounter a challenge building this rock garden without a statue of the Buddha. But not to worry as any statue or centerpiece would get the job done. Although pricey, the excellent sight and incredible feeling it offers will compensate for the cost of setting it up.

 

 

23. Rock Garden Terraces

 

 

 

Having rocks as part of your terrace will enhance its beauty. It certainly would be better looking when these rocks are combined with some other factors. These plants can either be the center of attraction in your garden, or they can serve to complement the aesthetics of the stone.

 

 

24. Stones in Equilibrium

 

 

 

The stone in equilibrium rock idea is a very straightforward one, at least during its construction. There are some tactics and shortcuts that you’ll have to apply to create this garden. Once you get through with its creation, you’ll have a beautiful stone structure displayed in your garden for all to marvel at.

 

 

25. Japanese Zen Garden

 

 

Gardens inspired by the Zen ideology are usually known to incorporate elements of nature, which is the case with this idea. The garden has enough Zen-ness to it – certain rocks similar to huge jades are neatly dispersed on the ground of the garden, and there’s lovely greenery at the sides and in the background.

 

 

26. Rock Garden Landscaped with Boulders

 

 

 

Confused as to how to set up your garden? Rocks can always work some magic. For this rock garden idea, crevices are shoved with certain plants, and certain large boulders are incorporated for contrast in size.

 

 

27. Garden Pond with Rocks

 

 

There is no denying the fact that everyone experiences a relaxing feeling when there is a body of water nearby. That is definitely the case with this garden. Making use of smooth stones on any large water body or in the pond of your garden will make it appealing (especially on its banks) as you can only peer over your pond by stepping on them.

 

 

28. Rock Dike Pond

 

 

If you enjoy displaying shiny objects, this rock garden solution with a pond is the option for you! The build of this rock garden is such that you cannot pass beyond its borders without experiencing an overwhelming compulsion to complement it. What is even more astonishing is the fact that this rock garden is budget-friendly.

 

 

29. Rock Garden with Flat Slabs Walkway 

 

 

We often neglect the profound effect that nature has on us. It’s easy to overlook the benefits of surrounding ourselves with nature. Utilizing our garden space with a touch of nature is a great source of relaxation. In this type of rock garden, the rock steps lend themselves well to most garden themes and layouts, which other substitutes, like concrete, simply would not cut it. The rocky slabs it features together with some wooden planks are the lovechild of nature and architecture.

 

 

 

 

A mosaic design, especially when it has to do with a smooth and consistent surface, is certainly desirable. Naturally, rocks come in different shapes and forms. When you get creative with these rocks in a mosaic fashion, you’ll arrive at a beautiful work of art. This art piece is ideal for adorning the pathway to your home with grace and homeliness, or as designed walkways.  Alternatively, how about getting a set of stepping stones to make your walk more comfortable?

 

 

31. Rock Pond

 

 

Indeed, plenty of rock garden enthusiasts out there may not have what it takes to fulfill their dream of having a large pond. However, all is not lost – some rock gardens are perfect for smaller spaces. You can take some smooth and pretty pebbles and glue them under heat to the inside part of a bowl. Fill the bowl with water. Dig a hole in your lawn that can accommodate the bowl and place it there. Include some fish, and there you go! A quick rock pond.

 

 

32. Flat Slab Steps

 

 

In this rock garden, there are large flat slabs of durable stones that are all similar in size. You can incorporate these slab steps to create a nice slope. Include some stout greens in the garden, and you will get the ideal hangout spot for a calm afternoon.

 

 

33. Contrasting Spiral Rock Garden

 

 

 

In this idea, dark-colored pebbles can be seen everywhere in the rock garden. Also, there is a need to acquire some white stones from landscaping stores. It may be a bit pricey for most people, but it is also a beautiful sight to behold and is fairly easy to create. The contrasting properties that the pebbles and the stones add to the garden create visual interest.

 

 

34. Desert-Inspired Small Rock Garden

 

 

 

What is the most obvious sign that rocks confer? The barren and tough surface ridden with such appearance, no, something more like a desert! In this rock garden, some succulent plants are fitted in the space between the rocks to make it look like a desert.

 

 

35. Small Rock Garden On A Low Hill

 

 

 

Of all sloped rock garden ideas, this is one you must try. Have yourself a small rock garden on a low hill. When you are creating this rock garden, you may like to casually place the plants and the stones and fit them in such a way that the overall appearance looks great.

 

36. Small Brook Rock Garden

 

 

Lots of rock garden fans love to see water in their garden. This rock garden type is ideal for large gardens, plus it also features a small water brook that adds some beauty to your garden. It is also a suitable option for small waterfall style and sloping gardens.

 

 

37. A Rocky Entryway

 

 

This excellent rock garden idea requires a bit more time and effort than the rest. It is characterized by a rocky entryway that is smooth to the touch. With the help of someone a bit skillful or at best, an expert, you’ll have something nice at the end of it all.

 

 

38. Rock Garden with Waterfall

 

 

There is no denying the fact that almost everyone on the planet desires something as natural and soothing as seeing a waterfall right by your house. The splashing sound of water as it flows down through the rock formation will definitely amaze you.

 

 

39. Rock Garden with Rock-Walled Herb 

 

 

This rock garden idea is great for even beginners. When you are done constructing this garden, you’ll not only have exceptional scenery to behold but hopefully some shade as well.

 

 

40. Japanese Zen Rocks

 

 

You don’t always have to stack your rock garden with plants and rocks! In this rock garden design, a zen feeling is created by additional props that enrich the visual sides of the garden without weighing down on its meditative appeal.

 

 

What Do You Put In A Rock Garden?

 

Rock gardens are usually unique in their components, and what would be found in one would not likely be found in another. Some factors determine what would be found in your rock garden. The location of your house and the choice of garden idea you decide to adopt, plus your budget, top the list. Below are some of the materials that feature in a rock garden:

 

 

Rocks

 

Rocks are the most common inclusions in all rock gardens. Boulders are obviously more expensive than pebbles, so when you set out to make a choice, this should also be put into consideration. The rock garden design will help you decide which kinds of rocks you should get. 

 

 

Soil

 

This is also another common inclusion in a typical rock garden. You will typically need topsoil, pebbles, and peat moss. Soil is not pricey, something that shouldn’t worry you as much because you’ll not break the bank to get it. Also, the quantity of soil you’ll need for your rock garden is dependent on its size and design.

 

 

 

Plants

 

 

 

Also, this is another less-pricey inclusion. With a few dollars, you can get a beautiful collection of plants that are rock garden-friendly, for example:

 

 

 

 

How To Make A Rock Garden

 

You should realize that creating a rock garden is very much different from a normal garden. It requires more effort and patience, but a well-planned rock garden is a reward in and of itself. A nice rock garden involves carefully-crafted plans and a thorough preparation so that you know what it is that you want and how to position yourself to achieve it.

 

 

1. Prepare Your Desired Plot of Land

 

This is the first step in the preparation of a rock garden. Root out all useless plants from the plot, and effectively mark out your garden area by making deep edges around it.

 

 

2. Carefully Plot Your Design on The Ground

 

When you do this, you’ll have an idea of how your rock garden will turn out to be before you actually start doing the main work. Inverted marking spray paint will do the trick. Also, it is important to plan out your soil and rock layers to promote good irrigation. You can also include fabric that is resistant to weeds in the areas that are prone to weed infestation.

 

 

3. Make a Choice of Your Desired Rock

 

There are stones of small sizes available in gardening and landscaping stores that you can buy. If there is a need to acquire larger stones, then you’ll need the services of stone suppliers to get them for you from their quarry. These suppliers frequently have a large collection of boulders to serve your needs, and they are by far a cheaper alternative.

 

 

4. Begin With the Large Boulders

 

This is because these big objects are the most difficult to move around. Setting these up as your foundation to builf upon sets you upd for an easier job. It is ideal to plan their places in your rock garden at the start since it isn’t practical to move them around frequently. Once they’ve been set, your collection of ornaments and the rest of your rock garden material can build upon these large boulders to complete the natural look.

 

 

5. Add the Smaller Stones or Plant All the Plants First

 

This is the very next step. You can use the crevices to fill the soil, or you can press them down to make them appear in a natural form.

 

 

As discussed above, the average Joe can create nice-to-behold rocky scenes if they can put in some level of effort and adequate planning. Following the step-by-step process and incorporating some personal touches and creativity, et voilà, you have a beautiful rock garden all to yourself!

 

 

How Do You Use Small Rocks In The Garden?

 

 

 

Most of the DIY rock gardens feature small stones as part of their build. The sheer contrast in size and the attractive connotation that small stones provide is worth knowing how to make use of them in your rock garden. After getting them from a landscaping or gardening store, you can seek experts’ help to lend you an assisting hand in placing them correctly in your rock garden. If the rock garden idea you choose to opt for is anything that you can do alone, then proceed to incorporate them at the right spot in your garden.

 

 

Location of the Rock Garden

 

When you set out to create a rock garden for yourself, one thing should be obvious to you. They are usually permanent structures, so you ought to be careful in choosing the proper site to position them. The location of your rock garden can either be at the corners of your house, or in one suitable location in your backyard. If you are confident in yourself that you are ready and have the experience of creating one for yourself, then you may like to try out rock gardens for higher hills and larger spaces, if you have the resources.

 

 

Feel of the Rock Garden

 

A good choice of rocks for your rock garden and where to place them will positively affect the appearance of your garden and the feeling you’ll experience anytime you visit it. For a natural and casual appeal, irregular rocks paired with random groupings of rocks are definitely a suitable option. But then, if you want an elegant and cleaner appeal, rocks or smooth pebbles that come in equally shaped sizes will get the job done perfectly.

 

Where Can I Get Free Rocks For Landscaping?

 

Help A Farmer

 

For farmers, a rocky field can pose a nightmare. To this end, you may like to find any farmer that you can assist in removing the rocks from his field. They would be more than happy to have a helping hand, as it is a win-win situation for both of you. If the odds turn in your favor, you may find the sufficient quantity of rock you need for your garden.

 

 

Check Construction Sites

 

Locate a construction site that is currently being excavated, and try getting some rocks from there. Most construction workers would be happy giving you those rocks because they can sometimes pose as a distraction for them.

 

 

Discuss with Road Construction Crews

 

Do you know any big road construction project where there is an active blasting of rocks? Get in touch with the job foreman and have a chit-chat with him. You may be surprised to see that you’ll get your rocks for free.

 

 

Go Shop It

 

When house owners visit their yard work during the spring, some rocks get hauled into the curb. During a Sunday afternoon drive, you may get to see some rocks that will add beauty to your garden on a lonely site in the neighborhood. While free alternatives are aplenty, quality may vary largely from rock to rock. Paid options, on the other hand, guarantee consistently good quality to make building that perfect garden easier. Here are the best garden rocks you can get today.

 

Top 3 Garden Rock Choices

 


Premium CHOICE

Margo Garden Products Large Red Rocks

 

Check Latest Price


Value Buy

Royal Imports Decorative Garden Rocks

Check Latest Price


TOP Pick

Southwest Boulder & Stone Mexican Beach Pebbles

Check Latest Price

 

Go Rockhounding

 

This is the hobby of looking for and picking rocks: rockhounding. Even though this hobby is not entertained in national parks, most properties handled by the Bureau of Land Management and most national forests allow it. Without having a permit, it is possible to pick up to 250 pounds of rock in a single day in Utah. Now, that’s a lot of free rocks.

 

 

Shop at Craigslist and Freecycle

 

This store may be the next best alternative for you when you go all out to get some nice free rocks. But you should frequently check both sites, and take proactive steps when the offer presents itself.

Mini rock gardens in the garden - ways to organize and select plants. Photo — Botanichka

Imitations of mountain landscapes and corners of rocky terrain have always been a favorite motif in the design of gardens. Alpine slides and rockeries, unlike Western design, have never gone out of fashion. They are still considered one of the most prestigious and elite decorations of the site. Not everyone can afford to break a full-fledged rocky hill or a flat rock garden. Where there is not enough space for a large rockery, the mini-format comes to the rescue - an idealized miniature copy that does not lose the charm of mountain nature and its special plants.

Mini rock gardens in the garden - ways to organize and select plants. © Ceforprofit

Contents:

Mini-format for a large mountain landscape

Every garden owner dreams of luxurious rose gardens, noisy ponds, spectacular alleys, lush hedges and royal flower beds… desired.

Sometimes less functional compositions have to be sacrificed and compromises have to be found. But there are also pleasant alternatives to the options we are used to. One way to decorate a garden with a special corner, even with extremely limited space, is to reduce the size and create an imitation of a dream in a “mini” format.

Alpine slides are one of the most popular objects for experimenting with the reduction format. Not many decide to allocate an entire area under rockeries or an alpine hill, to abandon flower beds or areas for a lawn, vegetable garden, orchard, recreation area in favor of a rocky landscape.

Rock gardens, like ponds, are another favorite garden motif. They are very plastic, make a vivid impression and create a special atmosphere always, if arranged and decorated correctly - regardless of style, size, criteria for selecting plants and the complexity of care.

Rock garden and rockery can be stretched to the entire site or only to a whole huge area with a walking area, can be combined with a pond or recreation area, pay tribute to the classics, or you can play mountain landscapes in a miniature format.

Rock gardens and their types have long ceased to correspond to established patterns. To create a rocky garden, it is not necessary to build a hill according to all the canons, planting vegetation on the slopes. There is so much room for imagination in the union "plants + stones"!

Rock gardens can be arranged even in small bowls, troughs, pots, building a portable ensemble and being inspired by fashionable pot gardens. And you can equip the same mini-miracle, only without constant care, additional protection and hassle, creating a mini rock garden in the garden - a composition with a mountain character, but a very limited area.

Mini-rock gardens - these are the same compositions with a mountain landscape, only on a really very limited area. They allow you to recreate your favorite landscape, using even the smallest space, a tiny corner or a single stone-boulder - that is, as much space as you can allocate to them.

They are created according to the same rules, principles and standards, with the same plants, stone and decor as the large alpine slides and rockeries. It's just that the mini-landscape looks pastoral, idealized, almost toy-like and becomes an object of decor and an accessory in the design of the garden in itself.

Mini-rock gardens - one of the examples of the "forgotten old". Ideal mini-landscapes, which offered to admire the perfect combination of plants in tiny but very cute compositions, were in vogue almost a century ago. It is from mini-rock gardens, equipped in small gardens or as a “highlight” of a recreation area, that mobile stone gardens and rock gardens in the interior and greenhouse were born.

Mini-rock gardens - these are the same compositions with a mountain landscape, only on a really very limited area. © Suehirofc

Choosing a location and arranging mini rock gardens

Basic rules for choosing a location and arranging a rock garden in mini format:

Small dry wall with plants in crevices between stones. © Heather Butler © TAPS YearbookGarden in a stone trough. © Beth Zeman

Types of mini rock gardens

Miniature compositions that flirt with mountain landscapes can be anything. It all depends on the scale, location and imagination. You can limit yourself to just the simplest option, starting from a single boulder, or you can really try to create a small copy of a full-fledged alpine slide.

The most popular types of miniature mountain landscapes are:

  1. A boulder lined with vegetation is the simplest version of a mini rock garden. A single spectacular boulder, near which the effect of mountain vegetation has been created, can become a highlight of the design near the terrace or recreation area. It is placed as a visual highlight of the composition, surrounded by plants that enhance its beauty, and played with small stones and stone chips for a more natural transition.
  2. Small dry wall with plants in crevices between stones. Flexible and unpretentious mountain plants, planted in a minimum amount of soil, looking out from the cracks, together create a feeling of a mountain landscape even with a small stone wall. At the foot of this miniature, tiny mountain landscapes or an array of succulents and ground covers are placed, creating a single composition.
  3. Mini-garden with stones of different sizes and a wide range of plants in a limited area - mini rockery. The available boulders and large stones are placed on the allotted tiny plot of soil, supplementing them with spectacular plants in such a way as to create the feeling of a complete composition. Rockery in miniature is a kind of preview of a full-fledged composition.
  4. Rock Garden - Unlike the composition with a garden around any boulder, this version of the mini-rock garden can only be created if you can get the appropriate stone block. Loose, non-solid rocks like limestone and sandstone with a huge number of bumps, cracks, crevices and chips can be an excellent base for playing with mountain garden motifs. It is in the bumps on the block that the selected plants are planted in the minimum amount of nutrient soil.
  5. Garden in a stone trough is created almost like a mobile or potted rock garden. This option can only be implemented if you have at your disposal a large stone trough with a cavity inside or a stone block with a specially hollowed out space for planting. Natural stone troughs are widely represented in the garden centers of Europe as one of the main elements of country style, they are less common here, but you can still find different shapes and different sizes. Most often, such troughs are made of sandstone or granite. A dense group of alpine crops and succulents are planted in nutrient soil, which together will fill the interior space. This is the most "artificial" view of all mini-rock gardens. Stone troughs can be replaced by a constructed square, circle or rectangle of dry walls, the interior of which is filled with a dense group of plants.
Rock gardens and their types have long ceased to correspond to established patterns. © Wallpaper Mechanic

Plants for miniature alpine slides and rockeries

Plants that recreate mountain landscapes will have to be selected more carefully for mini compositions than for ordinary alpine slides and rockeries. They should have a spectacular appearance, create bright combinations, be distinguished by increased drought resistance and durability. They are selected so that a small rock garden looks attractive all year round - both in spring, and in summer, and in autumn, and even in winter under snow, and the mass of plants and their growth do not get out of control even years later.

Blooming succulents with their fleshy, juicy, water-retaining leaves and shoots remain absolute favorites for mini-rock gardens, which will simplify the care of compositions as much as possible. Stonecrops, rosularia, saxifrage, aeonium, Rowley's ragwort, delosperma and juveniles are species that allow you to play with a decorative effect and choose textures, and at the same time not miscalculate even for the smallest options.

One of the most beautiful shrubs, which is suitable for mini-compositions with minimal landscaping - upland wolfberry. As it grows, it forms stunning cushions and cascades, creating a wonderfully spectacular symbiosis with rocks and boulders at its peak of pink bloom.

Any miniature coniferous or creeping evergreen shrub can be planted near the mini rock garden. The main thing is to choose dwarf varieties, which, even after ten years, will not exceed a height and diameter of 50 cm. They look great on small alpine hills in rockeries and just around boulders perennial flax, saxifrage petrorrhagia, Douglas phlox, common backache, shaving, myrtle spurge.

If you need to choose plants that did not change or almost did not change their size and made it possible to predict the development of a mini-rock garden with ease, then you should pay attention to the tiled or dwarf minuartia, rocky aurinia, caustic stonecrop, graceful carnation, rocky Iberian, saxifrage , rejuvenated, alpine erinus, seaside army, offspring breakwater, edelweiss, alpine erinus.

If the task is to create the effect of a flowering carpet, then it is difficult to find better plants for this than Portenschlag bluebell and basil soapwort. And for autumn accents in the mini-composition, you can introduce a large stonecrop or rod-shaped millet, whose lilac-orange-red dressing will help the mini-rock garden to become a participant in the autumn garden show.

Rock gardens and rockeries - a way to make your homestead comfortable and unique.

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Rock gardens and rockeries, their types and importance in creating a personal plot

What are rock gardens and rockeries and why are they necessary for your personal plot?

Rock garden and rockery - elevated rocky areas on which mountain plants are planted. This decorative corner creates the feeling of a real mountain landscape in your backyard. A variety of stones allows you to choose the design in different colors, which, on the one hand, makes it possible to combine the design of the house and landscape design of the garden into a single stylistic space, and on the other hand, create bright and unique accents for your garden.



How to make a rock garden, rockery and alpine slide?

The rock garden and alpine slide are named after the landscape of the Alpine mountains. To create them, an earth embankment with a high-quality drainage device is required. From above, the composition is decorated with stones of various sizes, in the gaps between which flowers sprout. There are also mini rock gardens.



Some construction features

It is desirable to lay stones for the base using the “layered mountains” technique. With this method, flat-shaped stones are laid almost vertically along the lines of the rock garden, while their flat side is located in relation to the south. This has certain advantages. Stones accumulate solar heat. Over time, a natural environment is formed between large stones, which contributes to the retention of moisture.



How to avoid mistakes in landscape rock garden design?

When designing an alpine slide, you need to remember that there should not be any growing trees next to the landscape rock garden. Their roots are able to suppress the rock garden plants, and the crowns will create a shadow. The height of the alpine slide directly depends on the area of ​​​​the infield and the place allocated for the rock garden. The larger the area, the higher the hill. The design of an alpine slide can look like a rocky cliff, mountain slope or gorge. In addition to the slide device itself, the choice and location of plants plays an important role in the creation of a rock garden. Most of the plants should have a dwarf appearance.



Landscape rockery

Rockery is a stone garden. If in rock gardens stones are the background for flowers, then in rockeries the opposite is true.

To create a rockery design, any stones, boulders, pebbles, flat sandstone, rocks are used. The main thing is that they are of the same color and structure.

It is best if the design of the rockery has an "old look" and is covered with moss. Plants for rockeries use any dwarf, and not only alpine varieties.

The number of stones does not affect the aesthetics of rockeries, their correct location is more important.

It is important to know that a few large stones will create a more beautiful composition than a hundred small ones.





Rockery and rock garden - differences

Rock garden is a kind of elevation or natural hill, decorated with stones and vegetation in such a way that the composition resembles a mountainous alpine landscape.

Rockery in landscape design is most often a flat composition, where the first role is given to stones, and plants are designed to emphasize their beauty, and sometimes symbolism, as in Japanese gardens.



Basic rules for creating rock gardens and rockeries.

In the algorithm for creating rock gardens and rockeries, several large stones must be present, optimally from 2x to 4x, they will be dominant. Everything else is medium stones, maybe even gravel or pebbles.

  1. All stones must be of the same name

  2. Composition must be asymmetrical

  3. It is important to choose the right undersized plants

Rock garden and rockeries are an accent element of landscape design. Rocks with a weathered and aged texture, covered with moss or lichen, look better and more natural. Stones with various breaks look beautiful. In creating a rockery composition, the size of the stones plays an important role, it is important that the stones are different from large boulders to small crumbs. After placing the stones, all the cracks formed must be filled with soil and compacted.



How to fit the scheme of rock gardens and rockeries into landscape design.

Alpine slides, rockeries create a mood, enliven the space, bring a special atmosphere to the landscape of a suburban area. Stylistically, they should correspond to the main structure of your site - the house. There are four styles of rock gardens.

European most common in our latitudes. It uses slow growing plants that bloom at different times of the year.
English the style involves the use of sharp-shaped stones with coniferous plantations.
Japanese minimalist style. Assumes a small number of plants, and the stones are usually small and rounded.



Where to order a rock garden and rockeries for the garden?

You can find out the cost and order the device of rock gardens and rockeries schemes in our company. Our employees will develop a design project, select stones and plants for planting a rock garden and design rockeries.

We will solve any problems related to life in a country house for residents of New Riga.

Our company cooperates with large nurseries and can offer a large selection of different types and varieties of flowers, ground cover species of shrubs, dwarf conifers typical of mountainous areas.

The company will perform all the work on the arrangement of the rock garden, the creation of a rocky garden and coniferous rockery, and will provide care for it. For more than 10 years, the company has been engaged in landscape design, production and design of rock gardens and rockeries.




Help in unusual situations.

Competent and organized arrangement of the site with the help of rock gardens and rockeries will make your life in a country house beautiful and comfortable. Our staff will help you choose unusual forms of rock garden for you and choose everything for the improvement of the rockery, decorate the space of your estate in an original and bright way, make it bright and unforgettable.

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