If you want to create and successfully maintain a rock garden, you can't just "get started" - instead, an intensive planning phase is necessary in advance. It's not just about choosing a suitable location and the most beautiful stones, but also about the concrete design and planting of the mini mountain.
How can I plan a rock garden successfully?
When planning a rock garden, you should select the appropriate location, design, planting and suitable rocks. Also take into account size, effort, costs and possible water or pond elements for a successful result.
Which location is suitable?
Gardens with a corresponding slope naturally offer ideal conditions for stone systems. Such a slope can of course also be created artificially, or in dry locations it is also possible to set up a rock garden on flat terrain - but then no rainwater or similar can accumulate there, the soil must be as permeable as possible. Otherwise, a location in a sunny southeast, south or southwest location is perfect for most rock garden plants, as long as they can be shaded during the midday hours. But there is also a large selection of suitable rock garden plants for shady or semi-shady locations. Basically, the rule is to work against nature as little as possible, because the less the existing location corresponds to the necessary living conditions, the more work you have to do both in building and later maintaining your rock garden.
What should the rock garden look like?
There are countless ways to design a rock garden. From an embankment covered with cushion plants to a small corner in the garden planted with perennials to an elaborately designed alpinarium, rock gardens can take on very different shapes. Experts fundamentally differentiate between these forms:
- the natural rock garden
- the architectural rock garden
- the sunken garden (e.g. between dry stone walls)
- the Japanese or Asian Garden
- as well as the pot or trough garden
Before construction, it is important to clarify how large the intended rock garden should be, what elements (e.g. a seating area, etc.) it will contain and how much effort is expected in terms of construction and costs.
Should a stream and/or pond also be built?
For many garden lovers, a rock garden definitely needs a stream, a water channel and/or a garden pond. The combination of water and stone complements each other perfectly and looks very varied thanks to the various design options. Of course, this project also needs to be planned intensively so that the water fits perfectly into the rock garden.
Tip
You should also make the specific selection of plants in the planning phase. This not only determines the construction of the rock garden (after all, different species have different location and care needs), but also, above all, the selection of rocks. Lime-loving plants need a subsoil made of limestone, which in turn can become a death trap for lime-loving plants.
