The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

Rockweler Rockgardens

Many native American plants have been found suitable for rock gardening, and there are hundreds of others not yet procurable through ordinary commercial channels, many of which are gradually becoming available. Now that we have broken away from the continental apron strings in rock gardening and have really started out for ourselves, even though we have not yet progressed far along the road, rock gardening may be satisfactorily undertaken in practically all sections of this country, even though the same plants may not be utilized everywhere. As our experience increases, we are rinding out what can and what cannot be grown under our widely differing climatic conditions.

In this connection it may be pointed out that the true alpine plants are native to sections where the growing season is extremely short, usually not over a hundred to a hundred and fifty days. They are to be found in all parts of the world between the timber-line and the snow-line, or so far toward the north or the south pole that the climate is similar to that of high mountain elevations. Quite naturally, such plants as these do not feel at home where they are subjected to weeks if not months of hot, dry summer weather. Fortunately, however, plants for the rock garden are not restricted to the alpines.

SOIL

If there is one thing more than all others which the great majority of rock plants, including not only the true alpines but the many additional varieties suitable for rock work, insist upon having, it is extra good drainage.

If the rock garden is artificially built, and elevated, as it usually is, above the general ground level, good drainage will be assured provided a suitable soil has been used.

For the natural rock garden, to be planted where nature has built the framework of the garden, this should be the first consideration. Often rocks are to be found in abundance where drainage is poor; such a spot, no matter how picturesque it may be, will not make a good site for the rock garden. Under such conditions, good drainage may be provided artificially, but usually only at considerable expense.

As to the soil itself, most alpines and rock plants shun a clay soil; nor do they prefer an extremely sandy soil. The soils to which they are native are composed mostly of decomposed rocks and shale in which the majority of our ordinary garden plants would fare but ill. Some of them insist upon having this type of soil when grown under domesticated conditions, while others are more adaptable. In Chapter VII, this subject is taken up in further detail.