Creating a rockery.
By seaburngirl
19 comments
As a child I used to love clambering over the rockery in the garden when I couldnt get on the beach to the natural rock pools. Mum used to grow anemones and I used to pretend they were the sea anemones and the couch grass the seaweed. {sorry Mum shouldn’t own up to your garden having had couch grass}
Well I’m all grown up with a garden big enough to manage a modest rockery. However the aspect is too shady where I would really want it. So the raised bed that has been ‘fallow’ for a couple of years is the identified site. The end closest to the house is next to the raised pond and the far end is next to the back path.
I wanted decent stone, limestone or westmorland stone but I wasnt going to buy newly quarried stone. I really didnt want to damage the wonderful landscape of wild Britain. Solution? I kept ringing around the landscape garden companies in the neighbourhood. Then I struck lucky. I dont think he fully understood the true value of the stone. We agreed a price and I was more than happy with the fact he threw in free delivery.
They duly arrived, 6 big stones and 10 smaller ones and boy did they struggle lifting the bigger pieces. They had to avoid the plants in a small bed infront of the raised bed. Well one squashed primula isnt too bad a sacrifice.
Two weeks on I finally got OH to help me position them [that should be me helping him really :o)]. We dug the soil out in places and apart from one of the bigger stones rolling onto my hand all went well. Not many ‘in progress’ photos sadly.
“How’s the hand, that has got to hurt?” I hear some of you muttering. Luckily the soil and hand squished together and apart from a cracked fingernail end no harm done. That is what I call lucky.
I have now the joy of planting up. I have spread and mixed in some compost to bulk up the soil. I will leave it to settle and if it doesnt rain in the next day or 2 I will give it a gentle water to help the soil settle.
I am going to put in most of my Iris reticulata & histriodies varieties as well as some smaller bulbs for summer interest too.
The pots have been placed and replaced at least 5 times already. I am also looking forward to buying other suitable plants for summer/autumn colour. I intend to let bulbs die down whilst other plants come into their own. Any suggestions gratefully received.
12 Mar, 2012
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Comments
I agree with Annella, that is going to be lovely. I am sure you will find plenty of plants at Harrogate (if you go this year). Unfortunately won't be able to meet you this time as I'm not going. It was a bit far really. You were certainly lucky to get those rocks
12 Mar, 2012
It will look lovely when planted up and plant's start to grow :-)
12 Mar, 2012
thats a shame Cinders I enjoyed our get together.
thanks sharnford, i am eager to get in and plant but the soil has to settle first.
12 Mar, 2012
I enjoyed it too Sbg. Maybe next time, but would have to make it a longer stay in the area.
12 Mar, 2012
It's gonna look great. Keep your pics coming on your progress with it
12 Mar, 2012
That looks great Sbg....I know what you mean about getting someone to give you a hand ;)
Looking forward to seeing the progress throughout the year. :)
12 Mar, 2012
What a lovely big rock garden! What fun you're going to have planting it up . . . and do let me know if you would like some Cowslip seeds(?). Not that they're in flower yet, but there are always masses of spare seed come the end of April. :))
12 Mar, 2012
Wow thats gonna look great.
Great place to have it, you will be able to see in all the nooks & crannies & wont be too hard on the back for gardening in it. Good Job :-)
12 Mar, 2012
Really like your idea Sbg, and those rocks look super and your lucky to bag such a find.
The idea of it being raised is great so much better to appreciate the plants. Look forward to seeing more pics as and when established.
12 Mar, 2012
Looking forward to seeing it develop, you have done a great job there!!
12 Mar, 2012
That's wonderful. I like rockeries too. It will be exciting for you to see it develope. I'm glad your hand is all right.
12 Mar, 2012
thanks for all the words of encouragement.
I have lots of cowslips thanks Sheliabub, they are a gorgeous plant and I collected seed from wild plants many years ago.
13 Mar, 2012
That is one seriously nice greenhouse in the background. I have got greenhouse envy!
13 Mar, 2012
thanks bryony. its 2 10x8 ft greenhouses joined together, doors at both ends. When we moved in there was one 10x8 left behind and the house we left the new owners didnt want the 10x8 we'd had there. So we dismantled it and Oh decided to put them together.
13 Mar, 2012
this is great sea.. missed it sorry again.
cant wait to see it when established to :o))
8 Apr, 2012
I was looking at this set of photos today. It is amazing how it has settled already. I will do an update during the week. I have enjoyed finding suitable plants for it though :o)
8 Apr, 2012
i bet, will look out for updates :o)
8 Apr, 2012
Hello Everyone,
I am new to the site, but my gardening project at the moment involves removing all the Westmorland rocks in my back garden, I have around 40 rocks similar in size to the ones in the photo, some can be lifted by one person some require 2 people to lift. If anyone is interested please contact me, I live in London and am happy to accept any reasonable offer.
18 Apr, 2012
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That is going to look brilliant. I hope to find a space to do the same after I move. Glad your hand is ok :o)
12 Mar, 2012