Forum home Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

I’ve got a rockery...how to make it cute?

Hi all, 

My knowledge of gardening is pretty minimal, but always keen to learn and hear about other peoples approaches to things. I’ve got a rockery (it was there when the house was bought and we never got round to taking it away). The problems are numerous and varied and I’d love to hear what people would do, though with a couple of caveats - we aren’t going to take it away, and solutions need to not be too expensive as we’re planning to rent the place out some time soon - and solutions need to be pet friendly (have a v mischievous doggo). 

My main issues are - it’s a bit of a weed trap and the grass is encroaching, which is hiding some of the rocks (dangerous), and just not that cute. What would you do? I’ve attached a pic of the rockery, (plus dog as a thanks for any help!)

cheers,

lucy 
«13

Posts

  • The trouble with rockeries is that they need a lot of time spent on them to keep them weed free. If you are going to rent it out I would guess the tenants probably won't do that. 

    I should think aggressive groundcover plants would be needed. I do know there will be better advice to follow but they will ask for your soil type and the location of your garden and position with regards to the sun. 

    I have lots of miniature bulbs in mine, looks great in spring, but it is an on-going chore to keep it neat. 

    Good luck. 
    • “Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else?” —Betsy Cañas Garmon
  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    edited March 2021
    I think an edging would create some defo ition and set it off nicely, also more gravel between the rocks. Some succulent type plants and of course alpines. If there's some way you could create a gradient from the back it would definitely make it look more alpine. 🙂

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I'd  get rid . Silk purses and sows' ears .
    Devon.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Maybe make it into a wildlife feature.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Not sure that is what i would call a rockery.
    I agree with @Hostafan1, I would remove it and make a flower bed.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    I see some foxgloves growing well there so maybe start with those and expand. You can't have foxgloves anywhere near a proper rockery sadly as you'll end up with seedlings everywhere. It looks quite mossy too so I'd pile some of the rocks up a bit more, add some logs or stumps and plant some ferns to make more of a stumpery type feature. Try to keep it fairly natural looking but bear in mind that when everything dies back for the winter you're stuck looking at the stones so make sure the structure of those looks good as well as the planting. Can I have my free dog now please?
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    You should be able to shift the rockery stone fairly quickly on Gumtree, listed as free to collect.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    It never was a rockery, just some stones on the lawn, I would shift them away and either grass it over properly or make a flower bed. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718


    Yup, I’d offload the stones on Gumtree or Freecycle as well. I’d put down a clearly defined edging to the lawn, put gravel around the raised beds, make a big bank of foxgloves in front of where the dog is standing and smother the rest of the soil (bottom left of photo to the bank of foxgloves) with some geranium Rozanne. Underplant the geranium with daffodils.
    Rutland, England
  • LoopyBCLoopyBC Posts: 27
    Stupid question....a few people have mentioned foxgloves. Where are these magical foxgloves!?

    BenCotto said:


    Yup, I’d offload the stones on Gumtree or Freecycle as well. I’d put down a clearly defined edging to the lawn, put gravel around the raised beds, make a big bank of foxgloves in front of where the dog is standing and smother the rest of the soil (bottom left of photo to the bank of foxgloves) with some geranium Rozanne. Underplant the geranium with daffodils.

Sign In or Register to comment.