Create a look that complements your home’s style as well as the rest of the yard. Rough irregular rocks add rugged natural appeal, while smooth pebbles or clean white gravel lend a more formal appearance, such as with Japanese rock gardens and Zen rock gardens.
Big boulders can overwhelm a small space, while small stones will get lost in a sweeping landscape. Use materials that are in scale with your home and yard. Larger rocks are a challenge to lift and set in place, so it’s crucial to know ahead of time where you want them. For a bigger project, you may want to consult with a landscape designer. Once you have some basic ideas, make a plan and draw a rough sketch. Make an idea board or list with attributes you want to include. Gather ideas by looking at photos of rock gardens on the internet and by visiting local gardens. Even a front yard can have a rock garden. Where would a rock garden look best in your yard? Is the site in sun or shade? Will plants need regular water, or will it be a drought-tolerant landscape? Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Designer: Philip Thornburg, Winterbloom Landscaping. Even a front yard can be the site of a rock garden, such as this entryway shown here. Here are some basic principles to get you started, along with a list of recommended plants. In order for your finished project to have cohesion, it should be well thought out and designed. Rock gardens are low-maintenance and lend year-round structure to the landscape. Even a container can become a miniature rock landscape. A rock garden can range from a complex large-scale project with many aspects and layers, to something as simple as a small corner adorned with gravel and river stones.
Different areas of the yard such as walkways and beds can be outlined or separated with an attractive arrangement of rocks, pebbles or gravel. Rocks can be used to define a slope, act as a substitute for a lawn, or become a solution to an area where little will grow. The rugged appearance of rock adds earthy appeal, connecting a manmade landscape to the natural world. Photo: Janet Loughrey.Īdding a rock garden to your yard is a creative way to add depth and dimension to a flat or mundane space, or to introduce an element of surprise. Add a waterfall or other water feature to enhance the natural appearance. A rock garden can add height and depth to a flat area.