CHAPTER V 



ROCK GARDEN PLANTS 



In the planting of rock gardens, we must endeavour to 

 secure by means of careful selection and judicious 

 grouping, an impression of breadth and boldness in the 

 colour masses. Nothing is more satisfactory when 

 contemplating any form of garden art, than the feeling 

 that the designer has from the beginning worked with the 

 idea of achieving some definite purpose ; that with a 

 certain ideal ever before him, labour and thought have 

 been systematically devoted to the fulfilment of such 

 purpose. This is especially so in the case of rock 

 gardens, which are often planted without any con- 

 sideration as to their appearance when completed. New 

 plants are obtained from time to time, and as they are 

 received are set in any positions available, regardless 

 of their suitability or otherwise for association with 

 those already established. Bare places must be filled, 

 but that is no reason why the first seedlings that come to 

 hand should be thrust into them, with the mere object 

 of hiding the soil. Beautiful garden pictures are only 

 possible when each small plant is made to play its part 

 in the building up of a definite scheme, constituting 

 either by its colour, habit or contrasting value, to the 

 improvement and completion of the whole. Too often 

 the rock garden is but a thoughtless jumble of scattered 

 units, of materials which in careful hands would amply 

 suffice to ensure a really satisfactory ensemble. 



There are hundreds of plants suitable for rock 



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