Few gardens can transport visitors to wild and rugged landscapes as well as rock gardens. Eye-catching rock gardens are among the most challenging—and satisfying—expressions of the gardener's craft. A true rock garden is a specialized habitat that allows the gardener to grow plants that do not flourish anywhere else. This book offers the first comprehensive treatment of building rock gardens in all parts of North America. Topics covered include rock placement, materials, and planting and maintenance. Variations on the rock garden theme, from planting troughs to creating water features are also discussed. The book presents regional styles and techniques and profiles a dozen public rock gardens from Oregon to Newfoundland. This book is only available through print on demand. All interior art is black and white.
AHS Book Award winner Rock gardening —the art of growing alpines and other miniature plants in the company of rocks in order to recreate the look of a rugged mountaintop—has been surging in popularity. Time and space constraints, chronic drought in the American West, and a trend toward architectural plants are just a few of the reasons for the increased interest. Rock Gardening brings this traditional style to a new generation of gardeners. It includes a survey of gorgeous rock gardens from around the world, the techniques and methods specific to creating and maintaining a rock garden, and profiles of the top 50 rock garden plants.
Table of Contents A Beginner’s Guide to Rock Gardens Introduction Wrong Way Of Placing Rocks The Right Way to Place Rock Stones Good Rock Work- Flat Ground Wall Stones on Slopes Choosing the Best Soil Building Your Rock Garden Planting Your Rock Plants Maintenance Conifers Bulbs List of Rock Plants, depending on the Particular Conditions and Places Rock Plants For Walls Crazy paving plants – Conclusion Author Bio Publisher Introduction Rock gardens have been part of landscaping and gardening lore for millenniums. In the East Japanese rock gardens or Zen gardens have been places where people could meditate in serene and harmonious surroundings. Why are more people designing their own gardens incorporating at least one rock garden in the design? Even if the rock garden is quite small, it is going to add a touch of distinction to the landscaping of your garden. In Japan, rock gardens were normally built as dry landscape gardens, where a number of landscapes were made up of natural compositions made from natural products incorporated into a landscape. These natural items included bushes, trees, Moss, water, rocks and sand. One believes that the concept of rock gardening originated in China, especially when the ancient religion of Shintoism spoke about places of harmony where one could commune with nature and the spirit in serenity. These were normally made in monasteries, where they could be seen from one focal point, like say the porch of the head priest of the monastery. These dry Landscape gardens which you call a Zen garden in Japan were built to be seen from one viewpoint, with the walling closed around it in ancient times. Nowadays they stretch on for miles incorporating all the natural features available and present in the area to make up harmonious surroundings. Japanese Zen gardens go back to 784 BC. Chinese gardens have been around for even longer. The incorporation of gravel and white sand in a Zen or rock garden was an important feature. These were the symbol of distance, emptiness, purity, white space and water. All these symbols were supposed to aid in meditation. White sand and gravel used harmoniously together were also used around temples, shrines and palaces.
This text explains how to create rock pools, ponds, gravel gardens, wildlife pools, and bog gardens, and shows how to use bridges, decking, stepping stones, islands, and lighting. A plant directory provides information on waterlilies, deep-water aquatics, oxygenating and free-floating plants, as well as trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, ferns, and alpines.
A crevice garden replicates the environmental conditions of mountain tops, deserts, coastlines, and other exposed or rocky places on earth. These striking garden features provide perfect conditions for the plants native to these far-off places, bringing the cultivation of these precious gems within everybody's reach. In this book, enthusiastic experts Kenton Seth and Paul Spriggs bring us in-depth guidance on the design, construction, and planting of crevice gardens of all kinds including those suitable for containers, small gardens, and public parks and in styles that encompass both naturalistic scenes and non-traditional installations. A wealth of international case studies demonstrate how crevice gardens provide multiple micro-habitats that are exceptionally well-suited to plants that struggle in normal garden conditions. Further examples reveal their value in the ecological re-use of waste materials such as concrete, wildlife habitat creation, and for making permeable, plant-friendly alternatives to retaining walls. An illustrated A-Z recommending 250 irresistible plants completes this comprehensive book which heralds a bold new chapter in the history of crevice garden making.
Rockeries are often a simple addition to a garden that can completely change it, providing an interesting focal point and giving your outside space a bit of much-needed variety. “The Modern Rock Garden “ is a classic guide to creating a beautiful rockery, with chapters on what and how to plant, general design, propagating shrubs and alpine plans, common problems, and much more. Highly recommended for keen gardeners and DIY enthusiasts. Contents Include: “Preparation", "Construction", "The Moraine or Scree Garden", "Sinks and Troughs", "The Rock Bed", "Planting and After-care", "Propagation", "Shrubs and their Uses", "Alpine Plants", "Bulbs", and "Some other Treasures, and Conclusion”. Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially-commissioned new introduction on the history of gardening.
Delve into landscape design and construction with this comprehensive guide, offering insights and techniques to craft stunning outdoor spaces. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring landscaper, discover invaluable guidance to transform any landscape into a masterpiece. Starting with an introduction to landscape design principles, explore various landscape types, drawing inspiration for your projects. With a focus on aesthetics and functionality, learn to conceptualize and plan effectively, covering every step from drafting blueprints to material selection. Prioritize safety with essential guidance for maintaining a secure work environment. Master site surveying and mapping for optimized construction efficiency. From drainage systems to stone structures, follow step-by-step instructions for building durable and visually striking features. Learn plant selection, care, and maintenance, ensuring thriving gardens and turf areas. Explore soil improvement techniques and add finishing touches with timber structures and landscape lighting. Embrace sustainable practices for eco-friendly designs. Whether envisioning a tranquil retreat or a large-scale project, this book is your provides a resource, promising inspiration and practical wisdom for landscape enthusiasts of all levels.
Offers advice on buying and growing different kinds of plants with an emphasis on the use of native plant species and the techniques of organic gardening.
