Steps to Making an Outdoor Rock Garden with Pictures

So what does a rock garden look like? A rock garden, or rockery, can be a large hillside affair that melds with the environment, or a small area of a garden mounded up to create a focal point. It is an area where different plant varieties that would otherwise struggle in your garden, can thrive. A shaded position, or located under a tree is also a popular option. You may also want to include a DIY rock waterfall.

It should include large rocks spread around the chosen area, with plenty of room in between for the plants to grow and spread. The beauty of a rock garden is how it improves with age as the plants grow onto and over the rock, and lichen and moss cover the rocks and age them naturally. Plants are low maintenance, so the whole look is rustic and beautiful without really trying.

Now you know what a rock garden looks like we'll move on to how to make a rock garden.

Any site in your garden that doesn't get wet and boggy is a good location for a rock garden. You could use the slope of an existing section of garden, or mound up your earth in one particular corner, or out of the way position in your garden (a shady spot is fine).

Choosing the right kind of rock is an important decision in making any rock garden - this is what makes a rock garden look like a rock garden. Limestone is the best choice of rock for a rockery, but any rock with a rustic and appealing look to it will work well. Large rocks are a must to create good structural appearance, and won't disappear once the plants start to flourish, but smaller ones can be included to, to incorporate balance.

The plants of choice when learning how to make a rock garden are alpine plants, as growing against or with rocks is in their natural habitat. Varieties of ajuga, aster, campanula, aubrieta and cyclamen are good choices. Cyclamen in particular can put up with shady positions, which look particularly good beneath trees. There are also varieties of alpine forget-me-not (pictured) that look especially effective against the stark color of the rock. Small juniper tree varieties, are also good additions to a rock garden for the same reason.

The big plus about a rock garden is that the plants are very low maintenance, as they are tolerant of most soil types and can even stand up to periods of drought. Another plus point in the favor of these plants is that they remain attractive all year long. The foliage changes color throughout the seasons, and of course there are flowering varieties that bring extra color too. Ensure that the soil doesn't become wet and boggy, and that is all the care you need to give them plants once they are planted.

When making a rock garden, you will quickly learn that if you are utilizing an existing slope in your garden, a lot of the work is already done. Dig out the section you want to transform into a rock garden and dig in some organic matter to help your plants settle in. If you are creating your space from scratch then dig out your chosen area and mound it up with earth, trying to incorporate a gentle slope, or mound - you may need to use additional bagged top soil or compost to create the shape.

It's a good idea to edge the border of your rock garden by using either large pebbles, bricks, or decorative wooden edging. This retains the rock garden, and defines the space, as well as looking decorative.

Place your rocks until you are happy with their position and dig out a little earth to let them settle - most of the rock should be visible though. Remember that odd numbers look best, and leave enough space between the rocks for planting.

Before removing your plants from their pots, put them in the places where you think they will look good and move them around until you are happy with how the rock garden looks. You can now plant one at a time, removing from the pots as you go. It is fine to plant them right next to the rocks as this is their natural habitat.

Maintaining a rock garden isn't too difficult as the plants you've chosen won't need much in the way of pruning etc, and the rocks will age and become even better with time. If you want the rocks to keep a newer appearance though, a simple scrub with warm water once a year will keep them looking both fresh and natural.

One consideration you may have to make though is keeping cats out of your rockery - they seem to think it is some giant playground of a litter tray. Planting rue, or thorny roses in your garden should keep cats at bay, or if it is your own cat that is the concern, plant a patch of catnip in a corner of the garden away from your rock garden. Now you know how to make a rock garden, you certainly don't want the cats to get more enjoyment out of it than you do.