Landscaping with Rocks

Accent your Landscaping
with Boulders and River Rock

In an almost contradictory fashion, the mass of the rocks keeps the soil warmer so the roots can grow for longer in the fall. The sheltered environment in between the rock crevices provides a cozy spot for plants that require a bit of extra protection from chill winter winds, or late frost.

If you notice, areas around a group of boulders bare off first thing in the spring because of the suns warmth on the rock. If you’re gardening in an area of cold winters and lots of snow, this enables you to plant some choice early blooming rock garden plants or alpine plants for that first glimpse of spring colour.

Landscaping with boulders can add an incredible depth and character to your garden.

In many places, the trend has been to remove all semblance of uniqueness, making all gardens in the area blend into one another.

You won’t have this issue when you start landscaping with rocks – each gardener or landscaper will have different ideas of how to use them, and all rocks are different. River rock landscaping utilizes the rounded forms of stones softened and tumbled by water, often contrasting these with more rustic and jagged forms.

Even a few well placed rocks grouped together and planted with some of my favorite hardy succulents such as Sempervivum and Sedum make a fantastic focal point; easy maintenance, low water requiring landscapes are easy with the bulk and mass of rocks.

Rock retaining walls, stacked garden walls, rock gardens and crevice gardens will be unique and individual.

A rustic inukshuk or Japanese stone lantern will add ambiance to even a plain and otherwise uninteresting garden. Don’t be afraid to showcase the lovely patina and textures of unusual rocks. Landscaping with rocks gives the gardener and landscaper a way to make a statement.

Please use caution and basic safety precautions when landscaping with rocks. Gloves and steel toed boots are the order of the day, as a finger pinched between two boulders will bring a quick end to your xeric garden projects.

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