Rock Garden Construction

What type of rock is best for rock gardens? Any porous, weathered rock that will look natural in place. It is all the better if it is deep fissured. Use only one kind of rock throughout the garden.

What about tufa rock? No rock is more acceptable to a wide diversity of plants than a soft, porous grade of tufa. But because of its glaring, bony color in sunny places it is not an attractive-looking material. In shade, and moisture, it quickly accumulates mosses and then becomes very beautiful.

Are large rocks desirable, or will small ones do as well? Construction should simulate nature. She works with massive rocks. Therefore, in gardens large or small use rocks as large as you can handle; or match smaller ones together in such manner that they will create an effect of large masses.

Can you give me a few pointers on the placing of rocks? Embed the rockwork deeply enough to create an effect of natural outcroppings. Leave no lower edges exposed to betray superficial placing. Have the several rock masses extend in parallel directions, and carry out this principle even with the lesser rocks. Match joints and stratifications carefully. Try to get the rhythm of natural ledges and outcroppings.

How shall I build a rockery in a corner of my level lawn? In the foreground of corner shrubbery create the effect of a smooth-ish, shelved outcropping with several broad, low shelves. Push this arrangement back far enough for the shrubs to mask the sheer drop behind.

How should I arrange a rock garden and pool in the center of a small lawn without natural elevation of rock? Create the effect of one large, flattish, or somewhat humped rock, broken, so as to provide two or more broad crevices for planting. Locate the pool, somewhat off-center, immediately against this rock effect.

What is featherock? This is a pumice rock quarried in California and only about one eighth the weight of native stone. It is often used in rock gardens or on patios, is easily cut and even hollowed out to make soil pockets for small rock plants. Some garden centers have it or can obtain it from California.