Rock Gardening in the UK

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Rock Gardening in the UK

Rock gardens in the UK are not common, yet could be, with some of the more famous rock gardens world wide existing here, including Chatsworth Garden.

The common person doesn’t think to garden in this way, yet with the soil being so well drained, the success of the rock garden, particularly when using native plant species is nearly guaranteed.

Rock gardens on a smaller scale still look lovely and are easy to make

The Rock gardens or Alpine gardens are generally found in areas where the soil can be well drained, has less water, the plants in them will be smaller of course but that is because many of the native species are naturally small and also so as to not cover up the rocks for which the gardens are famous.

Its not a large amount of work to set up your own rock garden and it can be done on a smaller scale of course than those which are part of the castles and stately homes in the area, so that nearly anyone could accomplish it in their own back garden, particularly if not a lot of grass grows there and it is already a rocky area. However if it is not, you can still accomplish a smaller rock garden without vast amounts of labor.

To do so, simply dig out the sod, or grass that covers a small area. Surround it with rocks, such as in a circular way, or then tuck in the rocks that you might like to use, making certain that they are not simply laid on the top of the earth, but are buried part way down into it. A good rule of thumb is to bury them about a third of the way down.

In this way they appear far more natural and are sturdier, don’t move so much and uproot or disturb the plants that surround them.

Then begin tucking in plants in such a way that they appear to have sprung from between or beneath the rocks as the picture illustrates.

Sources of native plants and plants which will grow well in rock, or alpine gardens as they are also called, are abundant here, along with those who offer alpine gardening advice both on the Internet and in person, as well as sell the plants which will make your rock garden a success.