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

Rockweler Rockgardens

Goldflower (Hypericum moserianum) : Good for yellow flowers in midsummer; variety Buckleyi is more dwarf and spreading.
Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) : The natural growth of this fine native shrub is often such as a Japanese gardener might spend a lifetime in achieving; few plants are more picturesque.
Rhododendrons: Almost too large and too heavy even for the background, excepting in rock gardens of large size. The Myrtle rhododendron (myrtifolium), Wilson rhododendron, thriving in sun or shade (both of which are hybrids of r. minus) and ovatum, are dwarf alpine forms.
Roses: Several of the taller-growing species, not mentioned in the preceding list, such as Hugonis and the Redleaf Rose (r. rubifolia) with its small starry blossoms, carry the spirit of the rock garden.
Tamarix: I have never seen this shrub recommended for use in rock gardening, but it is particularly pleasing and effective; its feathery sprays of pink blossoms may be enjoyed from spring until late summer by using the several varieties; africana, the earliest; gallica, blossoming in midsummer, and indica in late summer. Witch-hazel: Our common Witch-hazel (hamamelis virginiana) frequently found growing on rocky hillsides, unfurls its graceful little tasseled yellow bells in late October or even in November, and in January or February the Vernal Witch-hazel (h. vernalis) bursts out impatiently; the Chinese Witch-hazel (mollis) follows a bit later; the Japanese is impartial, and flowers either in latest autumn or in earliest spring; plant against evergreens; semishade will do.

Growing From Seed And Other Methods Of Propaging Plants

IT is quite possible to buy all the plants one is likely to require for the making of a rock garden, small or large. With the rapidly increasing number of concerns who sell rock plants, and the ever improving lists of varieties available, it is no longer necessary to grow one's own plants. Not so many years ago growing from seed was the only way to try most of the wonderful things described in English catalogs and books on rock gardening—then the only ones available on this subject.

But though the necessity may be less, the fun which the rock gardener may get in growing at least some of his own plants is as great as ever. There is fascinating work in connection with any kind of gardening, but in rock gardening I think most of all.