Any experts on rockeries out there??

I would love to design a rockery in my back yard. Just wondered if it was poss and what i would need to do.

Any hints or tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

Hi Sweat Pea (is it sweat or sweet? I'm confused now!

Rockeries are great to grow but can take a bit of work to set up - have you thought of doing a small one (e.g. in a large old stone sink (if you can find one from a mason's/broker's yard etc)). If not, you need to look at how high you want to build it, what sort of backing you need etc. There's no reason why you couldn't build one in your back yard, but from what I remember from previous posts, you have quite a small yard, yes? So you may want to think carefully about size and position..

 

I've never thought about that before (using the old stone sink - good thinking batman !!

I'm not 100% yet whether to do it or not, but my mum has one and it looks beautiful.

i have a south facing yard and was looking to do something on the small side anyway. The yard is about 6 foot wide by 20 feet.

 

You can get some spray stuff for a non-stone sink which is supposed to give the same aged weathered effect, but I can't remember what it's called. May be a cheaper option?

The problem with rockery plants is that they are so small they can sometimes get lost in a large rockery - smaller containers, perhaps with shale or a few larger rocks would show off your plants (and look fuller for less money! )

 

I think D-i-h-g has it spot on! Maybe you could get a sink, or trough from ebay? They seem to have everything!

 

Cheers guys, never used ebay before. suppose this is a good a time as any to start !

 

i seem to rem you can make your own with a mix of peat, mortar and chicken wire using two cardboard boxes as moulds

[ 06. March 2006, 07:08 PM: Message edited by: Lady Gardener ]

 

Hi Sweat Pea, I think you need to consider more carefully the type of plants that you want for your rockery. If you visualize plants like say Aubrieta and similar tumbling down between well placed rocks, and a few hebes and small conifers etc., then I would stick with a rock garden.

If however, you like those tiny sempervivums and cacti etc., then a butler sink would be just right, but ideally needs to be jacked up to a higher level for comfortable viewing. Bear in mind though that these sinks are very heavy and once filled are too heavy to move!

If you decide on the rock garden approach you first of all need to COMPLETELY eradicate all perenial weeds in the area, or you will wreck your rockery getting them out! Once done, place a sheet of weed suppressant down over the area and build up (especially at the back) with coa rse grit. Then another layer of sterilized topsoil and grit mixed together (can use other mixtures but must be free draining and without weeds). Sink into this mixture or build round - some containers such as cheap buckets with handles removed and holes drilled in the bottom.
Put all your chosen plants into these buckets to start with and make sure that the general level is up to the top of the buckets. Once your happy with the arrangement, then place a mulch over the whole area of whatever type of shingle (preferably to match the type of rock used) and working it over the top of the buckets and around the plants so buckets invisible.

In the winter pull out any buckets that the plants in them need protection. If you don't like the arrangement - move the buckets about.

Once established, plant some reliable small plants between the containers as well to complete it.

I did this, its a lot of work to start with but virtually maintenance free and weed free and looks great. Just my opinion, hope this helps.

 

sounds a good system - I've noted it for future reference. How about a picture of the finished rockery DAG?

 

hers a pic of a rockery just before I started planting, after the hard work had been done

 

Thank you nixonf23, and yes I will take some pics later in the season.

 

Sweet Pea, depends what you want from your rockery, but all above relavant also position of it important or it looks all wromg, a black hole in your garden.