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First Rockery

Andy - Total NoviceAndy - Total Novice Posts: 16
in Talkback

Hi.

Another rockery newbie question/s.

I have prepared the site, got the shape, got the stones and fully understand the need for drainage. I know I now have to place the stones in an attractive and shelter concious manner.

This is what I THINK I need to do next.

Fill inbetween the stones with a 'soil' mixture.I am intending to mix together some Westlands General Purpose Compost (which I believe is lime free and good for alpines) with some topsoil and grit. Does this generally sound right ??

I also have some MiracleGro compost which I THINK is lime free - cant see anything on the bag. Will this be OK to mix in with the Westlands ?

Next step after this will be to select plants which will thrive in a lime free soil - I believe some alpines prefer lime so I will naturally be avoiding them. At this stage I will be putting myself in the hands of various local nurseries for advice on plants that 'spread' and wee things that prefer crevices etc.

To recap - does my planting 'mixture' sound right and is Miracle Gro lime free ?.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks.

 

 

Posts

  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546

    There are a number of good alpine nurseries in Scotland, where you can research your alpine plants and maybe even manage a visit to see them growing. There is also the Scottish Rock Garden Club, which may have a local  group near you, where you can gain expertise and maybe obtain plants too.

    http://www.srgc.net/site/http://

    http://www.craigiehallnursery.co.uk/

    http://www.ardfearn-nursery.co.uk

    http://www.macplants.co.uk

    http://www.edrom-nurseries.co.uk/shop/pc/home.asp

     

     

     

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    I would very carefully research each plant before you actually plant it, partcularly any of the spreading ones or anything described as groundcover.  Once you get something invasive growing in a rockery, it will be virtually impossible to eradicate it later.  I think the mixture sounds about right.  Personally, I think an ideal mixture would be 50% John Innes No3 (recommended for permanent plantings) and 50% grit, which avoids getting any weed seeds in with the soil.  However, that might be rather expensive for a large rockery, so 25% soil, 25% multi-purpose compost and 50% grit would be a good bet.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307

    And you really do not need any fertiliser in that mix.

  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307

    Living in Inverness,one would expect her to be a member of the Scottish Rock Garden Society. There are local groups which are definitely worth investigating.

  • Andy - Total NoviceAndy - Total Novice Posts: 16

    Thanks all.

    Thanks to BTG for the re-assurance that my 'mixture' at least isnt wrong.

    There is a VG nursery close to me at Scone called Bonhard - I'll take advice from them regarding plants.

    Will also enquire about the Rock Garden Club.

    Miracle Gro 'enriched' compost ? - lime free ?

  • shirlsgwshirlsgw Posts: 30

    Ah...Andy,  if you are near Bonhard... take a wander along to Branklyn Garden to get inspiration for placing your rocks there. Perhaps you know this but if not... they've a great scree rock garden and plant sales too. Gardens like this help for placing rocks.

    Popped in to Linden and Glendoick today (both on Perth-Dundee road) there are lots of small plants there which are perfect for starting up a new rockery. Glendoick have a nice table height display also.

    Its been a while since I made my first rockery (age 10) but my tip would be lots of fine grit both in your soil mix and as a mulch. You will never have too much grit for your rock plants. I never spoiled my young plants with any feeding and they did ok. Remember plants like Lewisia like to be planted on their side so the water drains away from the foliage rosette.

    I have spent some considerable time placing/grouping rocks together over the years - its great fun. Enjoy building yours. Use your larger stones as key stones and work out from there. Remember to stand back and look at your stone groupings from all angles you will view it from in your garden so you get a feel of the look you are going for - its your rockery after all. Expect to have most of your rocks/stones covered in soil and plants. Your stones are ledges, really only there for structure and drainage.

    Don't rush your build in one day. Build a bit, come back to it, take it apart if you are unsure, rebuild it again and repeat if necessary. Your stone combinations will begin to work and you'll wonder why you were ever unsure about what you were building.

    Another garden for some serious rockery inspiration is Edinburgh Botanics - do take a look at their new alpine display in tufa rock too, its taking shape now. There's a nice rockery scree at St Andrews Botanics too. 

    Good luck - have fun image

  • Andy - Total NoviceAndy - Total Novice Posts: 16

    Thanks for that - lots to consider. I will look into Branklyn.

    Thanks

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