Stonescapes

The Sierra is a power place of stone. White marble granite, black veins of obsidian and other volcanic glass. It's all so beautiful. No wonder Muir worshipped trees here in the mountains behind us. And we walk just as he loved to walk where the ancient trees meet the "fountains of stone." And we are walking along a creek with no name, with fine old granite all around us. We hear water sounds and can smell pine and mountaintop flowers. Find such a place and look at how the rocks are embedded into the plant scape.

1. Some gardens incorporate an alpine like fountain, built to cascade down a rocky bed. This can be very successful if professionally done. Come in and talk to us about your particular space.
2. Go to an alpine area in the nearby mountains and look at the rocks. Concentrating on the rocks more than the plants, jot down on paper what it is you like about what you see. Take a photo. You can find rocks at local retail outlets. Come to our shop for a wide selection of plants.
3. Start small and work from there. Choose a mixture of sizes to begin with. If you go for huge, get professionals to deliver the rocks. Remember, you can always add more later.
4. Build from the bottom up. You might want to add a drip line. Try burying the rocks a little. Create plenty of room between the rocks for soil. At this point keep the plants in mind. Decide from what angles and advantage points the plants will be seen.
5. Finally meld the two major mediums, plant and stone. Decide what type of ground cover, perhaps choose a small thatch, adding a deep forest hue to contrast with the stone. Experiment with what you enjoy. Water the plants well until they've established themselves. Keep watch whether the rocks are hot and drying out the soil. Water the plants accordingly.

| Top |

Alpine rock gardens work really well incorporating running water, since this is so often the image we find when we dream about those high mountain places where peace seems to be as old and widespread as the once liquid rock. Come in and talk to us; we can build moving water into your alpine rock garden plans.

Heat, rocks and shade are a nice combination. Perhaps you moved to Nevada because you like summer warmth, People often associate alpine rock gardens with shade. In the heat of the summer, shaded places take the edge of the high temperatures.

Be sure to check out these pertinent topics:

• Desert Rock Gardening Techniques
• Life in a Rolling Rock Garden
• The Art of Collecting Rocks & Stones
• Some Rocks Are Poisonous
• What About Collecting Local Plants?
• Related Rock Gardening Links