Not everyone who has a personal plot loves to devote a lot of time to a garden or plants growing on it. Nevertheless, everyone seeks to create their own cozy corner. For its organization, the most common version of arranging a garden with minimal time spent on plant care is suitable - rockery. This is a specific structure of stones. But in order to organize and equip it, you will need to understand the intricacies of this type of landscape design.

What is rockery

Rockery is a decorative garden composition in which stones and dwarf plants are placed in a certain sequence. It is equipped on free land. It can be a terrace or an unoccupied corner of the garden.

For rocariya, plants are selected that do not need constant care and supervision. It is this feature that distinguishes it from the most similar style - rock garden. Even those who do not really understand what landscape design can create and equip it with. It is only necessary to choose a project and bring it to life. Therefore, the rockery is very popular among professionals and amateurs.

Types of rockeries and features of their design

Such stone structures can often be seen near artificial reservoirs. For registration, the bed of a dried river is also suitable. In this case, the rockery will become a kind of continuation of the area.

Did you know? The art of planning gardens, parks, alleys appeared a very long time ago - the ancient Greeks began to engage in the first landscape design.

There are two main varieties of these areas in landscape design:

1. Vertical. When the design resembles a cascade.
2. Horizontal. In this case, it looks like a scattering of stones.

Japanese

This option of landscape design involves creating an emphasis on stones, and not on plants, since the chosen place will subsequently be used for rest, meditation and relaxation. An excellent addition to this composition will be the installation of sculptures. Allow the use of flowers that are planted in pots.

Did you know? The peak of the popularity of rockeries occurs at the end of the last century. Although in many houses of the XIX century. they were created quite often.

Scandinavian

To embody this style, low vegetation is chosen. These can be individual dwarf species of coniferous shrubs or any ground cover plant species. They are placed in regions where the harsh climate prevails. Therefore, they pay minimal attention to colors. For the most part, stones, sculptures, various figurines and figures, paved garden paths predominate in such a rockery.

European

Such a design has varieties. Its arrangement depends on the choice of a particular style. To understand their common features and differences, several styles are described in more detail below.

Italian

In addition to stones and plants, it is customary to decorate the chosen place with sculptures and furniture. The main thing is to create as many smooth lines as possible. Preference is given to semicircular and round shapes. This means that ordinary cobblestones can be laid out in a circle. Its middle will be filled with plants.

English

The creation of such a rockery implies originality and unusual design. It must merge with the landscape or create a new one against the background of the existing one. Therefore, when selecting plants, special attention is paid not only to flowers, but also to cereals, conifers of shrubs and trees, decorative deciduous plantings. Usually, organization of a horizontal rockery, which merges with the surrounding area, is usually meant.

German

Such a design should have a strict appearance. Natural stone is allowed to be replaced with sculptures or decorative products. Style practically minimizes the naturalness of the rockery, as it implies the organization of strict lines. Most often used flat stones. If there is access to a reservoir, it is not allowed to create a cascade. In this case, it is recommended to adhere to one level.

You will also need special care for the vegetation. You always need to destroy weeds, take care of the planted flowers. Therefore, designers prefer to use those plants that do not require attention and are unpretentious to environmental conditions.

American

Such a flower garden is often created near the entrance to a residential building or gazebo. Its peculiarity is considered that such a rockery will not be an addition to the garden, but to the buildings themselves. Usually they create small compositions so that they do not catch the eye, but do not get lost among other design decisions. As in the European style, there are several subspecies.

Mexican

Rockery equip in warm or temperate climatic zones. Indeed, in this case, attention is focused on vegetation, which can be found only in hot, and sometimes arid places.

Important! In Russia, to recreate such a landscape design is problematic, since weather conditions are not suitable for exotic plants.

The most common species is a small likeness of the desert, which is framed by stones. Inside, several types of cacti are planted.

Tropical

Another option that designers very rarely use in our latitudes, due to the problematic cultivation of certain crops. A feature of such a rockery will be dense and lush vegetation. Therefore, the stones will almost not be noticeable. Plants are picked up with large inflorescences and leaves. This view is an ideal example of a vertical structure. In the lower part, low-growing flowers and herbs are placed, and in the upper part, large and lush shrubs and even trees.

The tropical species of rockeries can also be attributed to the Australian style. It is also dominated by exotic plants that are planted inside large stones combined into a cascade.

Which stones to choose

Based on the description of the rockery, it is the stones that will become its main part. In connection with this feature, it is necessary to choose the right building material. You will need and correctly place it on the selected site. Without a combination of these two rules, creating a beautiful designer composition will fail. After all, even with the most beautiful flowers, it will turn into an ordinary flowerbed.

The selected natural stone should have approximately the same shape and size. Large boulders are perfectly complemented with small placers. The main condition for their placement will be naturalness, in other words, merging with the surrounding landscape. Accordingly, the material is selected based on the location and size of the future rockery. If it will be near a reservoir, you should choose smooth, naturally polished stones. Otherwise, if the flower garden is far from water, then they choose a pointed building material, as it will resemble a peculiar mountain or plain view.

One of the most important conditions is the lack of great diversity. Different minerals should not be used in one design. In most cases, 2-3 stones are enough to create a semblance of a natural landscape. In addition, they do not allow the usual dumping of cobblestones, as in a quarry. Strict observance of forms and smooth lines is the key to a beautiful and natural rockery.

One of the important factors in choosing stones is their structure. After all, it can change under the influence of various weather conditions. Limestone and sandstone, absorbing moisture, often change color. Granite and marble are suitable for creating a constant background. Experts advise choosing no more than three different colors.

At the same time, it is recommended to abandon the gray shades, since they will be lost among the greenery and bright colors of flowering plants.

Suitable plants

The key rule in arranging a rockery is considered to be the choice of such vegetation, the height of which will not exceed 50 cm. During the season, crops should replace each other during the flowering period. Most often they choose plants that do not need frequent transplants and can remain green during the winter.

For small rockeries, a maximum of 15 species of vegetation is recommended. Initially, you can drop less, and then gradually add them as needed. The most suitable options will be stunted and decorative conifers and shrubs, various deciduous crops, ground cover and perennial flowers and herbs.

About 2/3 of the space is allocated for low-creeping species. The rest of the territory will be decorated with hardwoods. The most popular among plants were raulia, thuja, nibs, fir, cypress. Of the leafy ones, barberry, azaleas, spirea are preferred.

Small architectural forms for rockeries

Small architectural form (MAF) - special designs that have a different shape and size. They are installed with the aim of diversity and decoration of the garden. In addition to the aesthetic function, such an element can become practical. With it, you can protect the space.

Important! They do not recommend creating a rockery very close to large buildings. Its composition may be disturbed by the flows of melted snow.

These elements most often become:

• children's swing;
• mini-pools;
• benches;
• horizontal bars;
• stairs
• arches;
• pergolas;
• bridges;
• figurines or statues of animals;
• sculptures;
• fences and fences;
• flowerpots and tubs;
• furniture;
• gazebo;
• Belvedere, which is created with a sufficient amount of free space.

In addition to them, you can add rockery and artificial lighting. Small ground lamp will serve as a backlight in the dark. And large tall lamps on poles will illuminate not only the structure itself, but also the surrounding area.

How to do it yourself

It is believed that to equip a rockery on a personal plot or cottage, only 10 m². If there is free space, it should be filled up correctly. This will avoid a sharp change in landscape.

The entire installation process is reduced to three main stages:

1. Selection and preparation of the site.
2. Mounting stones.
3. Planting vegetation.

Site selection and preparation

Rockery can be created on almost any free spot on the site.

Nevertheless, there are a number of rules that should be followed when choosing it, namely:

1. Nice and beautiful view. This design is created for the purpose of decoration. Therefore, everyone who enters the garden should see it from afar.
2. Proximity to the place of rest. A rockery is created near the site visited, where guests and family will spend their free time. In other words, it should be located near benches, a gazebo or a reservoir.
3. It is allowed to choose a territory that looks ugly. For example, it could be a former landfill for construction waste. With minimal processing, it will turn into an elegant composition.

Did you know? In the United States, on the border of the states of California and Nevada, there is the dried-up Lake Raistrake Playa. At its bottom are stone blocks weighing about 350 kg, which move by themselves, leaving traces on the ground.

To prepare the selected surface, it is necessary to remove the top layer of the earth. Together with it weeds are removed with roots and, most likely, fallen seeds. After that, you can start marking the space allocated for the installation of stones. It should be remembered that the stones must be buried in the ground at least a third of their height.

A layer of mulch is created inside the patch. Plants will be planted in it. If necessary, it is necessary to equip and drainage. It can be pebbles or crumbs, which with their appearance will only complement the rockery.

Planting plants

Planting of vegetation plays an important role in arranging any style of landscape design.

In this case, it is important not only to choose it correctly, but also to observe the following sequence of actions:

1. Plant undersized shrubs. A groove and hole is created in the ground or film used for the mulch. At the same time, it is recommended to cut out the circle, not the cross.
2. Hardwood dwarf bushes are planted. In most cases, they are used as an addition to coniferous plantations. If the European style is chosen, then it can be spirea, barberry or cinquefoil. To diversify the color scheme, low-growing varieties of rhododendrons will help. Chinese lilac is also suitable. Its height rarely exceeds 1 m.
3. Then perennial flowers are planted. You should choose from those varieties that are suitable not only for the climatic zone, but also for the location of the rockery itself. And since this structure is erected in the shade, it is better to choose plants that prefer not to grow in the sun.
4. The last planted ground cover plants. They will help to diversify and balance the created composition.

Backfill

Often after the arrangement of the rockery is over, there is free space between plants and stones. Fertile soil is rarely used to fill them, since weeds will quickly grow on it. Designers recommend using a mixture of ordinary earth taken, for example, from a garden, with sand.

Rockarium Care

Although the rockery itself does not need care, it will be necessary to monitor the plants. If among them there are moisture-loving varieties, then in the hot summer they need to be additionally watered. In order not to wash away small pebbles, use a hose with a spray.

Did you know? Residents of lowland areas often choose as a rockery a piece of their favorite wildlife. It can be the Caucasus or Crimean mountains.

In addition, you will need to remove dried inflorescences and seeds. Planting material is not recommended to be left on the plant, since it can germinate in the most inappropriate places, thereby spoiling the whole beauty of the rockery.

If the vegetation develops too rapidly, then it must be trimmed from time to time. And if there are flowers that are afraid of the cold, create for them an artificial shelter for the winter. Fertilizing for green spaces is needed only occasionally. For this, a mineral or organic fertilizer suitable for a particular variety is used. A prerequisite is the addition of land once every 3-4 years, as it can be washed away by melt snow or rain.

From the recommendations described above, it becomes clear that creating a rockery in your country house or on the territory of a private house is not difficult. Even with minimal care, he will not cease to please the eye with the unusual shape. Moreover, vegetation can be renewed annually by adding or replacing plants. You can choose a suitable project from numerous photos on the Internet and in the catalogs of landscape designers.