ROCK GARDENSRock Gardens Overview - 12An ideal and natural position
for the moraine would be in the sun on the
slope of a miniature valley between two rocky
spurs, the gorge gradually expanding into
a flat bed of scree with occasional boulders
strewn over it. The extent of the moraine
will vary in proportion to the size of the
whole rock garden. If the latter is large,
the moraine may cover an area of many square
yards; on the other hand, it may be nothing
more than a small, well-drained pocket or
crevice filled with moraine mixture in which
little more than a single specimen is grown.
To construct the moraine, dig out about two
and a half feet of the soil and make the
bottom of the basin or trench slope slightly
towards the bottom: the slope must not be
too steep or the moraine will become over
dry in summer. The lower ten inches of this
basin must be made water-tight by means of
puddling with clay or by means of cement.
Make an outlet in front, which when closed
keeps about ten inches of water, but not
more, in the lowest parts of the basin, while
when the outlet is open no surplus water
can remain in the basin. Cover the bottom
of the trench with about six inches of rubble,
stones, or material that will afford good
drainage. Above this place another six inches
or so of smaller stones roughly one inch
in diameter; these will fill the gaps between
the larger stones and will prevent the small
grit above from sinking through and blocking
the drainage and also assist the capillary
action to lift the moisture on the warmer
days. The hollow is then filled up with a
mixture of stone chips and gravel. Over this
again is thrown a covering, an inch or so
in thickness, forme of a mixture of equal
parts of ordinary garden soil, leaf-mould,
and small stone chips similar to those used
in frosty weather for sprinkling n wood-paved
roads. Limestone or sandstone chips are excellent;
flint chips should not be used, as they do
not conserve moisture. Place a few boulders
in the moraine to break up the surface and
to give the plants some protection. A natural
trickle of water may be led into the top
of the moraine, or each day sufficient moisture
may be given from a watering-can to cause
an overflow from the outlet at the bottom.
From November to May, when no additional
moisture is needed in the moraine, the outlet
should be left open. The overflow from the
moraine may be led into a small pool, which
will add great charm to the rock garden,
and is easy to construct while the garden
is being made. In it may be grown rushes
and small water plants, while the overflow
from it will provide an excellent situation
for bog plants or for any alpines loving
plenty of moisture. When planting, the gardener
should remember the conditions under which
each plant lives in its native state, and
should set it in the rock garden accordingly. next rock gardens overview
page... |
|||
|
