ROCK GARDENS
Alpines in Rock
Gardens 8
The stone used in the construction
of the small rockery usually consists of
rugged pieces of limestone or sandstone,
although these are not essential. Cork-bark
or old clinker burrs dipped in cement wash
of the right colour make most realistic weather-worn
stones, and very often give a much more picturesque
effect. A most important point to be considered
is suitable drainage, and this may be secured
by putting two inches or more of broken crocks,
cinders, etc., over the bottom of the trough:
the thickness of the layer depending largely
upon the depth of the container. Cover this
coarse drainage with a sprinkling of finer
material to prevent the soil from sifting
down and clogging the drainage. Over this
spread a layer of half-rotted leaves; these
will tend to retain a certain amount of moisture,
and will also assist in keeping the soil
from mixing with the drainage. Fill the remainder
of the trough with soil to within half an
inch of the rim so that, when watering, the
water will not wash the soil over the side.
The compost should be of a gritty nature,
something on the following lines: one-third
part loam, one-sixth part leaf-mould, one-third
part quarter-inch chips and sand, and one-sixth
part peat. This may be varied to suit the
particular requirements of the plants grown.
Two to three inches of soil will provide
ample rooting medium for the plants. On this
bed of soil the garden should be built, excavating
for valleys and pools and building up with
stones to form miniature hills. It will be
found much easier to insert the plants as
the work goes on, than to plant when the
garden has been built. Great care must be
taken to pack the soil firmly round the roots
of the plants. Locate the list of plants
suitable to the Miniature Rock Garden. A
few dwarf shrubs should also be included
the selection made depending, naturally,
upon the size of the garden to be planted.
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