ROCK GARDENS
Rock Wall Gardens
3
It forms the rooting medium
for the larger plants in rock gardens; each
wall would thus support the other. There
is no need to go into details of the construction
of the "double" wall,
for they are self-evident from the foregoing
instructions. It is, of course, easiest to
plant the wall as it is constructed; the
roots may then be spread out as they should
be, and can be well covered with soil. Larger
plants may thus be employed than when the
planting is done when the wall has been completed,
at which time it is very difficult to insert
the roots deeply into the crevices. It is
never wise, however, to use very big plants.
If the roots are dipped into mud just before
planting, they will establish themselves
all the more easily. March and April, when
root-growth is very vigorous, are the best
months in which to construct and plant the
wall garden. The plants have then ample time
to become fully established before the winter
sets in. Wall gardens may also be planted
in September, but the early spring is the
better time, except in the case of dry, arid
situations. As an alternative to planting
the roots in April or September it is, of
course, possible to sow seeds in the crevices
in spring. The best way to do this is to
mix the seeds with a little well-sieved moist,
sandy loam, and to press it into the chink
in the wall. A small piece of moss inserted
into the crevice will keep the seed moist
and will prevent it from being pulled out
by birds or by some other agency. The plants,
above all, must not be overcrowded. When
planting, the gardener should bear in mind
the size to which the plants will eventually
grow, and he should be careful not to set
a vigorous grower directly above some smaller-growing
subject, for, if care is not taken in this
direction, a slow-grower will soon be smothered
by a more vigorous neighbor. In selecting
the plants the locality, climate, and aspect
of the wall must all be carefully considered,
so that suitable subjects may be chosen.
The list that follows should make this an
easy matter. It will be noted that the great
majority of the plants given in our list
as suitable for the rock wall garden thrive
best in the sun. A wall garden situated in
the shade, however, can be made anything
but drab and uninteresting. For the shady
wall in a cool position such hardy ferns
as the Aspleniums, Polypodiums or the Phyllitis
must not be overlooked.
GARDEN WALL FOUNTAINS
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