![]() 'Sustainably sourced large rocks, paddle stones and gravel are a great choice for most rock gardens,' says Angela Slater, gardening expert at Hayes Garden World. Use a range of sizes to create a natural looking outcrop and place a few clusters of rocks here and there in nearby planting to continue the theme through the garden.' What are the best materials for a modern rockery? Garden designer Kristina Clode believes a range of sizes should be used when creating modern rock garden ideas: 'Try to use some big rocks in the design – the bigger the better. 'Even a small rocky area can offer diversity – a well-placed rock offers perfect conditions for sun-loving plants on one side, and shade-tolerant varieties on the other.' 'Sandstone is widely available, not protected like limestone nor too hard like granite,' says Ruth Hayes of Amateur Gardening. ![]() ![]() Use local rocks in a mix of sizes to create a natural look. Bring modern rock garden style to containers Pots are ideal, especially terracotta ones.' Fill your raised bed or container with a mix of soil and grit. Think stone troughs, stone-lookalike troughs made from concrete, old sinks – any large container that has drainage holes and is at least 6in (15cm) deep will work. Garden planters of various kinds can also be used to grow alpines. 'Even if you don’t have room for a raised bed, every garden has room for a pot or a trough. 'The shape can be designed to fit your garden layout and the material chosen to suit its style,' adds Graham. Raised beds which have been constructed using reclaimed stone will fit with a rock garden style. 'Instead, grow them in raised beds and containers.' 'Most of these plants have two simple needs: sun and good drainage, both of which can be provided without the use of any rocks at all,' says Amateur Gardening expert Graham Rice. Try incorporating grasses, perennials and alpines into your existing raised garden beds for an instant rock garden. 'A range of sizes and thicknesses of stone should be used, with the edges linearly aligned to create the look of natural seams of rock, with gravel or a complementary aggregate brushed around the plants in the crevices between.' 5. 'Look at the layering or strata that makes up the individual rocks and how the strata lines align with those of their neighbors, usually horizontally, and place your own stones in the same way. 'When building a rock or crevice garden it is essential to observe how natural rock formations are formed and to try and recreate that look yourself,' explains Kristina. Free-draining gritty soil is put in the crevices between the stones and the roots of the plants grow deep into the crevices as they would on a rocky cliff edge, which makes them extra drought tolerant and resilient. 'They use thinner flat pieces of stone buried close together vertically "on edge", with only the very tops of the stone showing.'Ī great example of this landscaping idea with rocks is Joe Perkins' RHS Chelsea gold medal winning design from 2019, pictured. ![]() 'On a smaller scale crevice gardens can be very effective,' says Kristina Clode. It has the effect of softening the look of the patio and giving it a naturalistic element which is extremely calming and tranquil. Light-colored rocks and gravel have been used as modern edging ideas for the metal water rill which runs through the seating area. People harvest these plants and herbs for the beneficial minerals and nutrients nature provides.' Pond water seeps down through the soil releasing these minerals and nourishing the plants. The stream flowing from the stone wall and through the rocks represents the mineral rich snow melt water bringing nutrients from the mountain. 'The sound of moving water is very beautiful and brings with it feelings of joy and happiness. 'The rill with rocks in our 'Kampo no Niwa’ tried to bring beauty of nature and flux of time into the garden,' Kazuto told us. It's known for its rugged landscape of mountains and volcanos. Why not bring some rock garden elements into your existing patio ideas for an ultra serene setting? Take this design by Kazuto Kashiwakura and Miki Santo from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019. It is inspired by the designer's island home in the north of Japan, Hokkaido. ![]()
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