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

Rockweler Rockgardens

The character of such evergreens or shrubs as may be used in the rock garden is, if anything, more important than the character of the individual rock plants. They show up more conspicuously, and are in evidence throughout the entire year.

Dwarf forms of the tall-growing coniferous evergreens, such as spruces, pines, and firs, are generally somewhat picturesque in character and will suited to rock-garden planting. Where one can visit a nursery personally, it is sometimes possible to find specimens which are "imperfect" from the nurseryman's point of view, unevenly developed, crooked, or otherwise "deformed" which are admirably suited for rock-garden planting. These not only make most desirable subjects, but as a rule are to be had at a much lower price—if one does not appear overanxious to get them. I know of one rock garden, famous for its Japanesque effect, which was planted largely with such undesirable specimens from an old nursery. The Japanese create character and the appearance of great age by skillful training and pruning; there is no reason why the rock gardener should not experiment in this direction, but if it is a new field to him he must be prepared to make mistakes, and possibly to spoil some plants.

EVERGREENS AND SHRUBS FOR THE ROCK-GARDEN BACKGROUND

The suggestions above apply to evergreens and shrubs used in the rock garden. Those used for forming the background or setting for the garden are not subject to the same restrictions, particularly as regards height. Nevertheless the transition from the small scale on which the rock garden is planned to taller trees in the background should not be made too suddenly; and whatever is to be visible from the interior of the rock garden should be in keeping as to character. The graceful drooping fronds of a hemlock, or the irregularly spreading branches of a pine, will give no sense of jarring contrast, such as would be inevitable in the use of trees symmetrically columnar or pyramidal in habit, or of the blue or yellow or golden forms which are so patently the result of the horticulturist's art.

PLACING TREES AND SHRUBS IN THE ROCK GARDEN

It is quite as impossible to give any definite directions for the placing of trees and shrubs to be used within the rock garden as it would be to pen a few paragraphs informing the reader how to paint a picture. Even the builder of the rock garden him- self cannot tell in advance where these plants will go; he must feel his way as the work progresses, putting them here and there in imagination, and frequently placing and replacing the plants themselves, before actually planting, until he is fairly satisfied that they are located where they will give the effect desired, or as near it as can be obtained.