Berm
Rock Garden
A berm
is a type of raised garden with informal edges. This
style of rock garden is often used on a relatively level site.
Freely draining rock garden soil is mounded at least
12" above grade. Rocks of different sizes are then
placed and partially buried along the berm. A
variety of plants are used to create a visually interesting
garden.
Concrete
Block Raised Bed
Raised
beds are an easy way to create a rock garden in just about
any available space. This raised bed is made of concrete
blocks and capped with pavers and is located at the edge of
a driveway. A lean rock garden soil was used and accent
rocks placed. In selecting plants for this location
, we kept in mind the sunny location with heat reflected from
the driveway.
Quarter
Circle Raised Bed
This
raised bed is similar to the previous one except that it was
built in a quarter circle shape with an elevated back section.
We mounded a scree mix high on the back edge and supported
it with closely spaced rocks to create a steep slope.
We selected plants that prefer very freely draining soil.
Because of the steep slope, water drains rapidly away from
the crowns of the plants, preventing problems with winter
wet.
Stucco
Raised Bed
This
third example of a raised bed was built on a slope with concrete
blocks and then covered with stucco. There is access
to all four sides and the edges make a pleasant seating area.
More Info about constructing this raised bed.
Hillside
Rock Garden
This
hillside garden creates a sense of drama with large scale
rock accents. Sloped sites are naturally more freely
draining than level sites. The native soil was amended
with gravel to further enhance drainage.
Water
Feature Rock Garden
Water
features are an ideal focal point in a rock garden.
They enhance the naturalistic feel and add another element
of interest. Rock garden plants can be tucked along
water's edge as well as along the slopes and niches created
in the construction of the water feature. Our water
feature has a header pool, curved running stream and small
still pool. We have created a bog garden at one edge
of the pool for additional planting areas. A shallow
beach was created at the end of the pond to soften the edge
and allow animals that fall in the water an easy way out.
Herb
Garden
This
low water garden was built on a well draining site in full
sun. Rocks were used as edging material. For weed control,
the paths were first covered with landscape cloth and covered
with bark chips.
Container
Succulent Garden
An
attractive arrangement of containers is an ideal way to enjoy
many rock garden plants. This collection includes some
frost sensitive succulents that can be moved to a sheltered
location during the winter.
Trough Garden
Many
rock garden enthusiasts grow smaller alpine species in troughs,
creating miniature landscapes with plants and rocks.
Photo Courtesy of E. Drcar
Crevice Garden
Erinus alpinus has naturalized throughout the stacked stones at this ruin in Scotland, creating an informal crevice garden.
Terrace
Garden
Gardens
on slopes can be terraced to create planting areas.
In this hillside entryway, a sweeping flagstone pathway is
flanked by terraced beds and a planted rock wall
Native Garden
This
high desert garden uses native plants to create a natural
landscape that requires minimal ongoing care.
Open
Alpine Frame
Alpine Frame in winter
The
alpine frame is a structure built to provide plants with extra
protection from winter wet and cold. Alpine
frames are essentially a type of coldframe with provisions
for extra ventilation and shading. Plants
can be grown in pots set into the frame or plunged into sand.
Plants can also be grown directly in the bed in a soil mixture
or sand. Our hinged
top design allows us to easily open the frame on warm days
and close it again in the evening. It is also easy to
tend the plants when the top is open.
Small Rock Garden
Sisters Linda Reymers and Sally Medford built and planted this rock garden on Mother's Day 2007
in memory of their mother, Betty Reymers.
More photos of this small rock garden and Betty's Garden.
©
Lewisia Garden
Lewisias are a flowering succulent native to the Western U.S.
Learn more about how to grow Lewisia
Wild Ginger Farm
