How To Make A Rockery

Having selected a site in a partly shaded spot, we will then proceed to

form a mound of earth which may be drawn to the spot for the purpose if

necessary. Upon and around this mound the rocks are to be placed, one

layer thick, leaving here and there between them a small crevice in

which to plant vines, or to drop a few seeds. The top of the heap may be

left open, to allow of setting out, either in a pot or planted out in

the earth, a choice specimen plant. Among the plants the most

appropriate for the centre are: Eulalia Japonica variegata, and

Zebrina. A variegated Agave may appropriately occupy the place, or

some of the tall native wild ferns. A narrow circle may be cut around

the base of the rockery, six or eight inches wide; after this is spaded

up a row of blue Lobelia may be planted around the whole circle. Instead

of the Lobelia, a row of Echeveria secunda glauca, or of the

Mountain-of-Snow Geranium would look very finely. It may be well to

mention here a number of the plants most appropriate for rockeries. Who

is not familiar with the Moneywort, with its low-trailing habit and

small yellow flowers? It is peculiarly adapted for rockeries. Portulaca,

Paris Daisy (Chrysanthemum frutescens), Myosotis (Forget-me-not),

are among the most popular plants for rockeries. The small Sedum or

Stone Crop (Sedum acre), is an interesting and useful little plant,

growing freely on rock or rustic work. As vines are much used for such

places, we will mention as the best hardy vines for this purpose

Veitch's Ampelopsis (A. tricuspidata), English or Irish Ivy, and the

so-called running Myrtle. The above are entirely hardy and will stand

any amount of freezing without injury.



The following vines, although not hardy, are much used for rockeries:

Thunbergias, Tropaeolums, Kenilworth Ivy, and the German Ivy (Senecio

scandens). Where a rockery is formed in the midst of a pond of water,

as is often done, plants of the kind mentioned will not flourish so well

as those of a semi-aquatic nature, such as Caladiums, Callas, some

Ferns, Cannas, and Lycopodiums, all of which will flourish in moist

places.