Landscape Rocks

Using Rocks in Landscaping

Most photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.

All work on this page designed and installed by Green Art.


1		At the Albacore park, I had the honor to redesign a former water feature, consisting of a heavy circular granite edging and an empty space in the middle. I did not want to just fill in some flowers but create a connection to the theme of the park, which is a memorial garden for the sailors who lost their lives during duty on American submarines. My rock setting represents the coast of New England, and the blue creeping juniper below depicts the ocean. Compare the vegetation shortly after planting (image 2) with the scene after plants have filled their space (#3)
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4		Rock boulders can be used to optically connect a building with its surroundings.

This is another example of a rock setting, slightly influenced by East-Asian stone settings. While in oriental gardens there would be raked gravel at the base of the rock, I use creeping conifers.		5
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7		This stone patio is enhanced with large rocks at its periphery. A stone bench has also been integrated into the scene. Plantings (not on photo) included dwarf conifers, dwarf shrubs and lavender.

8 Good companions for rocks are fine-textured plants that are loose and airy and move in the wind, such as Japanese maples and grasses. However, these are best contrasted by some bold-textured foliage. Evergreens will carry the scene through the winter.		9 Typical plants for rock gardens include dwarf conifers and low, mounding perennials, such as Alpine pinks (Dianthus) and Candytuft (Iberis).