Asrock garden in the garden , or otherwise - rock garden, we usually imagine a small, sunny and very decorative part of the garden, planted mainly with alpine plants. When setting up a rockery, we must take into account the specific environmental requirements of rock plants, as well as properly select species to obtain the appropriate decorative effect. Seehow to set up a rockery in the gardenand how to choose the bestplants for rockeriesHow to make your garden rockeries beautiful and easy to care for?
Skalniak in the garden
Plants for rockery
Narockery in the gardenare mainly used by alpine plants. These are various types of perennials, bulbous, bulbous, herbaceous plants, as well as dwarf and creeping conifers. Typical speciesof plants for rockeryare: swarm, sedum, saxifrage, edelweiss. In nature, alpine plants, as a rule, grow on poor and permeable soils, and are exposed to extreme conditions - strong sun, winds, temperature changes. Their pillow-shaped or carpet-like shape and fine, fleshy, leathery or leathery leaves protect them against water loss and drying out by the sun, and the extensive, shallow root system facilitates the supply of water and nutrients.
When choosingplants for rockeryit is worth paying attention to several aspects. Probably most of us want the rockery to be an attractive decoration of our garden for most of the year.Therefore, it is worth planting plants here that will be decorative at different times of the year. This effect is difficult to achieve by creating a monothematic rockery, composed of plants belonging to a specific group (e.g. only annuals, bulbous, perennial or heather plants). Therefore, we recommendto make a mixed rockery , composed of species belonging to different groups of rock plants.
Another factor that guarantees the decorativenessrockery in the gardenis the combination of plants in terms of contrast - both their shape and color. In the case of flowering plants, we must take into account the timing and length of flowering. It is good if the flowers appear successively at different times of the year, and the flowers of plants that bloom in the same period - they contrast with each other, thanks to which the bed will be colorful. Let us also pay attention to the foliage, because in the period when the plants are not blooming, their leaves will be the decoration of our rockery.
Althoughskalniak in the gardenis usually installed in sunny places, it does not mean that if we do not have a well-sunny place, we are doomed to failure.Well, there areplants for rockeriesthat tolerate well or even prefer some shade.
Here are suggestionsplants for rockeries in the garden :
- perennials for sunlit rockeries
- perennials for shaded rockeries
- heathers and heathers
How to make a rockery in the garden
The perfectrockery in the gardenwill be located on the southern, well-lit slope of the hill, sheltered from the winds. Location on a hill will ensure proper drainage of water. If we decide to set up a rock garden on a flat area, it will be necessary to drain it. There should be no tall trees in the vicinity of the rockery. The trees will prevent adequate sunlight from the rock, and the raindrops falling from their branches will contribute to the rotting of rock plants.
Skalniak in the garden
Ourrockery in the gardenshould not be only a mound of strictly geometric shapes, filled with randomly found stones.The construction of the rockery must be thought out to make this corner of the garden look really charming. In addition to the stone slope, the rock garden can take the form of a retaining wall, a small terrace, or a path embedded in a ravine. In this way, we will not only diversify the terrain and contribute to the naturalistic appearance of the rockery, but also create different sun conditions on the slopes. The lines of the walls should be smooth, and the slopes should not only be straight, but also freely formed. At least some of the stones should have angular edges so that they resemble chunks of rock. Plants particularly sensitive to excess moisture in the substrate should be planted in the crevices of vertical walls, from which water quickly escapes.
Mostrock-growing plantsrequire well-drained soils. Ordinary garden soil can be adapted to the needs of rock garden plants, mixing it in equal parts with peat and coarse sand. The addition of gravel will also be beneficial, as it ensures a quick drainage of water, which is especially important for plants sensitive to excess moisture. Remember to free the soil from weeds. For this purpose, spray the soil with a herbicide, for example Roundup Ultra 360 SL, at least two weeks before the construction of the rock garden. The two-week period will allow the herbicide to penetrate into the weeds and destroy not only their aerial parts, but also their roots.
Rock for rockery
The stone used will be of particular importance for the appearanceof rockery in the garden . Soft rocks that are quickly affected by the weather, such as chalk and clay, should be avoided. Too hard volcanic stone, such as granite or bas alt, will also be inappropriate.
It is best to choose a stone that is present in the area, thanks to which it will be easier to harmonize with the environment. An excellentmaterial for rockeriesis soft and porous limestone tuff. Such rocks contain numerous air pockets and their size facilitates transport and processing. The relatively soft surface of these rocks can easily be hollowed out for plants.Limestone tuff provides ideal conditions for many plants that require very good drainage. Unfortunately, it is a rock material that is particularly expensive.
Sand rocks with a distinct layered structure will turn out to be cheaper and no less useful. The advantage of using layered rocks is that they are easy to split. When buildingskalniak in the garden , we can also use ordinary limestone rocks.
We arrange the rocks starting with the largest ones, around which we place the smaller ones one by one. If we arrange layered rocks in the vicinity, arrange their fragments in such a way that the layers run in the same direction and at the same angle. The stones are buried about 1/3 of their volume and slightly tilted back. This will provide stability and allow the water to drip onto the bedding, rather than directly onto the plants below.
Skalniak in the garden - planting plants in the rockery
Planting plants in the rockery
The most convenient way is to buyplants for rockeryin pots that we can plant almost throughout the growing season. But let's avoid rainy periods when the ground is very wet, and avoid periods of drought and hot weather. When the plants are already purchased, we test them, looking at the composition from different sides. Now we can experiment.
When placingplants on the rockeryremember to keep the appropriate spacing between them. Plants growing strongly or expansively should be planted in larger spacing or singly, because they will grow quickly. Species with slower growth should be planted more densely, preferably in groups, thanks to which they will be a clear accent immediately. We should also not forget about selecting plants in terms of habit and color, as well as the position, soil and light requirements. In the nooks and crannies under larger stones, under rock overhangs, or in larger gaps in the walls, we place specimens that require a bit of shade.
When we find thatplants on the rockeryare properly placed, we can start planting. Take them out of the pots very gently and place them in the dug wells. We plant at such a depth that the root neck is slightly above ground level. Then lightly compact the soil around the plant and scatter the top layer of gravel or coarse sand. When the entire surface of the rockery is covered with a thin layer of sand or gravel, water the plants.
A bit more complicated isplanting plants in rock crevices , between stones or in wall crevices. For such plantings, we choose only young seedlings with a well-developed root system. Before planting, the roots are slightly shortened. If there is old substrate or plant remains in the joint, pick them out, e.g. with a spoon.
At the bottom of the cleansed crevice, put a small pebble and some soil on it. Then, insert the roots of the plant into the slot in such a way that it points to the outside of the slot.Cover the roots with a thin layer of soil and press down with the next pebble. If necessary, we can add another layer of soil and place another plant above it.
After setting uprockery in the gardensystematically check the stability of stone structures and walls, as well as whether the plants are firmly in the ground. Especially those planted in crevices. In some places it may be necessary to add soil. Until the plants take root it is a good idea to provide them with a little more irrigation. For most rock plants, watering at a later stage is only necessary in times of drought.
