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

Rockweler Rockgardens

The best time for placing evergreens and shrubs in the con- struction of the rock garden is after the outlines of the rock work have been pretty well completed, with the largest stones and the most prominent stone groups in place, but before the finishing touches are added. This is advantageous both as to the mechanical details of planting, and also in the design or arrangement of the garden, as the trees are more likely to look as though they really belonged with the rocks, and not merely stuck in as an afterthought.

In habit of growth, most of the dwarf trees and shrubs belong to one of three general types: the upright growing, true dwarf tree form, such, for instance, as the Dwarf Alberta spruce or Dwarf Irish Juniper; those of dwarf shrubby or bushy growth, such as Dwarf Japanese Yew, Dwarf Mugho Pine, or Spreading Cotoneaster (C. divaricata); and those of procumbent or creeping habit, such as the Gray Carpet Juniper (/.sabina tamariscifolia) and the Rock Contoneaster (G. horizontal is).

As a general rule, the dwarf-tree forms are most effective when planted on the lower levels of the rock garden, or directly against the bases of the large rocks which rise above them; the shrub-like forms against or among large rocks, perhaps a bit higher up where they may find a suitable background in the stones about them, or, if of drooping habit, may fall gracefully over the stone surfaces; and those of creeping or horizontal habit of growth, where they may form a mantle either against the base of the rock surfaces, or by trailing down about them from above.

EVERGREENS

Aside from the dwarf spruces, of which there are several, there are comparatively few really dwarf evergreens. The larger-growing sorts look so enticing during the earlier stages of growth, when they are still small, that it is often hard to resist the temptation to use them. This should be done, however, only when it is planned to shift them to other quarters later on. This is readily accomplished if they are planted in places where they can be taken up again without disturbing too many other things—especially if they are set out in the wire mesh planting baskets which are now available, and by the use of which a small shrub or tree may be taken up at the end of a couple of seasons' growth with the ball of roots in a compact, solid mass. The suggestion above is not made with the idea that it should be followed as a general practice; but it does offer a means of obtaining a fairly satisfactory substitute for dwarf evergreens in the rock garden for the first season or two if one cannot buy all the plants desired at the very start. The truly dwarf evergreens are really most delightful little trees in themselves, as well as being particularly effective units in the rock-garden picture.