The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
American Rock Gardens
The details of construction may be considered later; just now we decide whether or not a rock garden would be properly located anywhere on the property. The relation to other garden units is very vital. Since this garden reflects more of nature than art, it should be removed from the smooth lawn and formal garden, and linked with the wild garden (of which it is a part) in relation to woodland, water, marsh, or other undressed feature, and yet placed where the soil surface is uneven and where rocks appear to have some geologic reason for location.
Location and construction are primary considerations. Then comes the problem of the plants. The details of planting take a special chapter, but before beginning any making of lists we must realize that rock plants are those which are rarely used in other kinds of gardening and would largely be considered as weeds elsewhere. Some common plants can be grown anywhere by anyone, but real gems of the rock garden are very difficult of culture and have very rigid ideas of conditions under which they intend to thrive. For Primrose and Gentians, every soil pocket must be especially constructed for the needs of each species; and none of this effort is visible, since each little weed seems to be merely happily placed for good growth. After being planted, this area must be given special care at all seasons, or it soon becomes bare of rock plants and full of weeds. A knowledge of after-care will help in proper planning; and skill in construction and real insight into the requirements of each plant for best growth will reduce maintenance greatly; thus this garden will outlive the average. Theoretically, the rock garden thrives for many years, but often the love for it dies when the garden has gone wrong, and it rarely outlasts the enthusiasm of its owner.
Besides common rock gardening we may extend into special effects,—alps, wall gardens, stepping-stone walks, bog gardens, shade gardens, special groupings for season, flower effects, ecology combinations, and definite families or genera of plants. The planting may be made as elaborate as knowledge of vegetation permits and ability to provide the plants and means to maintain them will allow. There is no end to a rock garden—it is never complete even did every plant thrive wherever set out. Without doubt it is the most fascinating and difficult type of ornamental planting.
There is a charm in the unusual surroundings for these plants, a relief from clipped lawn, formal trees, or well-ordered border. All possible use is made of the element of nature and yet all the order and art of man's garden training is also brought to bear upon it. A rough or rocky piece of ground, useless for agriculture, lawn, play area, or any human purpose, becomes the ideal site of a rock garden. What was worthless as real estate now becomes a garden.
