Rock garden (45 photos) - types and manufacture
Your own suburban area gives you the opportunity to fully express your creative abilities and realize your dreams. One of them may well be a DIY rock garden that you can build thanks to our recommendations. In addition, in the article we will talk about its miniature version.
In the photo - how to make a desktop stone garden and at their summer cottage
General information
Simulating the natural landscape of mountain slopes with the help of rocky gardens is one of the most popular ways to arrange country plots and gardens. These are retaining walls, and steps made of wild stone, on which greenery has already clearly appeared. It is considered a special skill to create a composition in such a way that it merges with part of the mountain landscape, seems old and long abandoned.
Often, a Japanese stone garden is combined with an artificial one. This makes it possible not only to install an aesthetic element on the territory, but also to solve the problem of space on the site.
The main prerogative of stone gardens is:
- creating a secluded cozy place in a small area;
- dividing the site into separate zones;
- hiding unattractive objects.
At the same time, the instruction allows the erection of artificial structures and the full use of the natural unevenness of the relief, which is very often considered the shortcomings of the site. Therefore, you can get a beautiful stone garden even in the most unsuitable area.
For example, if the slope of a ravine or a ditch spoils the entire suburban area with its appearance, they can be used as the basis for a rockery or rock garden, which we will help you create.
Kinds
Although there are several types of rocky gardens, they have a main idea that unites them: flowers and plants are planted among the rocks on the mountainside. Thanks to this, a spectacular combination of stone and flora is created, complementing each other.
The most popular and widespread is a stone garden in the form of an alpine slide or rock garden. It is an artificially created hill with stones or a natural slope, where herbaceous plants and shrubs “emerge” between the cobblestones (the main element). The latter serve as an addition to the blocks and emphasize their color and texture.
Initially, undersized perennials and various bulbous plants were used for artificial alpine slides. Currently, various types of plants and flowers are grown in rock gardens, guided only by their own taste.
It is not difficult to create it, but the work will take a long time. The rock garden differs from the classic flowerbed with annuals, as they function for several years, getting better every year.
How to create a Japanese style rock garden
Contemplation and gradual unity with nature, a special philosophy of being, the desire for naturalness, symbolism and minimalism - this is what a Japanese stone garden is.
If you are tired of the riot of colors and variety, make such a quiet corner on the site where you can simply:
- to relax;
- relieve stress;
- think alone;
- calm down.
To create a site, you will not need to carefully prepare, since the basic requirements for it are minimal.
- Start a Japanese garden by choosing a site and planning the site.
- Make good soil drainage with your own hands, select an area with optimal sunlight and ventilation.
- The most important elements are water and stones. But, everything should be done as close to natural outlines as possible, so do not arrange the pond in the form of a square, as these are not usually found.
Tip: every little thing should be taken into account, keep a special harmony when choosing elements, so that the final result will please you.
- The space should not be cluttered, seek symmetry and harmony.
- Decide in advance - you will use plants only in the warm season or it will be a winter garden, then its price may be higher.
- When choosing materials for a recreation area, follow a number of specific rules:
- it is advisable to select cobblestones of the same variety, so we recommend taking 2-3 large stones rather than a mountain of small ones;
- the basis is large material;
- use small to emphasize it;
- do not dig cobblestones deep into the ground - observe naturalness;
- set the stone to stand straight, without deepening it much into the ground.
As an option, you can install the main boulder in the center of the site, and slightly smaller along its edges. This will allow us to identify our plans with the triad in Buddhism.
The Japanese stone garden, unlike other options, also serves as a place for meditation. You can brag about it to your friends, relax in it, get rid of stress, find peace and achieve inner harmony.
rockery
Another option for a rock garden, which experts recommend starting with inexperienced gardeners. Unlike an alpine hill, the area here is flat and few plants are usually planted on it. The decorative effect rests on the beauty of the stone.
We recommend filling the free space between individual stone fragments with a layer of gravel, which will effectively shade the stone. For example, light gravel and dark cobblestone are successfully combined, and multi-colored river pebbles with light limestone.
Tip: place a fertile layer of soil under the pebbles, which will provide nutrition for the root system of plants.
It happens that rockeries have an architectural form. For example, it represents steps made of flat large stones that frame creeping plants characteristic of mountainous areas.
Tip: you can create complex terraced rockeries when the natural terrain of the area contains a slope that overlooks the surface of the rocks.
This will be able to combine all natural objects - stone material, shrubs and plants planted next to it.
Elements of stone gardens
To improve the territory, you must also have:
retaining wall |
|
Terrace |
They create a terraced garden on the slope of a ravine, a river bank or a slope. You can choose different and their combinations. Usually these are dwarf trees and shrubs, as well as climbing herbaceous plants. Heathers, ericas and undersized rhododendrons are often found. |
Small rock garden
The miniature rock garden is a relatively new element in landscape design. It has become widespread in small areas or if it needs to be equipped for a short time.
Sometimes its base is a stone of an interesting shape, which has a natural depression. You can also use an old basket, a trough, or a specially made hole in the ground. Such a bizarre structure is even made in portable containers and placed in a convenient place, for example, on a home terrace.
Their originality lies in the complete imitation of the appearance of an alpine slide or rockery. Super-dwarf plants, mosses and lichens are selected for such mini-gardens. The same applies to stone material, which should also be miniature.
Tip: a piece of limestone will look especially beautiful, on which natural cracks and depressions imitating natural rock are visible.
Conclusion
Of the quite many types of gardens for a suburban area, stone is distinguished by its "philosophical" orientation, in which the Japanese version has most succeeded. Today you learned how to make a rock garden in the country with your own hands, how such structures differ from each other and from others, what basic and additional elements they use.
The concept of innovative miniature rock gardens that you can even carry around has also been given. The video in this article will help you find more information on this topic.