Gardening in Australia can be very difficult, especially in dry and drought prone areas. Even the best landscapers can have trouble creating a sustainable garden which looks good when water’s hard to come by.
According to Landscaping Sydney, if you live in a dry area – or even if you just want a low maintenance garden which you don’t have to worry about watering too often – you should consider creating a rock garden. Never heard of a rock garden before? Don’t worry, in this article I’ll go through what they are, why they’re so great, and how you can create your own one.
What Is Rock Gardening?
Really, the concept of rock gardening isn’t too hard to grasp. A rock garden is a cleverly planned, sustainable garden which focuses on rock forms and design as much as the plants that are used. When built right, rock gardens require little care or maintenance, making them perfect for people who don’t have a lot of time to commit to their garden.
Historically, rock gardens were created in Southeast Asia – especially in Japan and China. Traditional rock gardens were designed to draw a person’s eyes to the rock structures and design of the garden, rather than the plants. The plants were really nothing more than background material.
However, you can design your rock garden however you want, with whatever style or plants you want. There’s no right or wrong way to do it.
How Can I Start My Own Rock Garden?
Designing and creating your own rock garden can be an extremely fun and rewarding process. There’s nothing quite like coming up with a concept and turning it into a reality. If you’re not sure that you have the skills or ability to build your own rock garden, don’t be afraid to talk to your local landscaping professional.
The key to creating your first rock garden is starting small. Remember, you can always expand it later. Treat the area like a blank canvas. Acquire some landscaping stones from somewhere (your local nursery might be able to help you with this) and start spreading them around the area.
Think carefully about rock placement, and make sure that you leave spaces for plants. Try and design your garden so that water will run off the rocks and concentrate around your plants – this will significantly reduce the amount of watering you have to do. Finally, choose your plants and get them in the ground!
Final Word
If you’re something of an innovative gardener who likes to get creative, rock gardening could be for you! If you’re interested in giving it a go, I would recommend getting online and doing some research. Find some designs that inspire you, choose a place for your new garden, and get out there have a try. Remember, the best way to learn is by doing!