A spot in the alpine garden on May 2. Moss Pink (two 

 patches) with Creeping Phlox between 



Gravel "core" of the garden, used to insure essential drainage. 

 Soil is placed on this, and rocks then "built" 



As construction proceeds, rocks are arranged to ensure niches' 

 and vertical crevices 



Building a Rock Garden william edward davis, jr. 



The maker of a successful rock garden in Connecticut tells how to proceed — Work for the moment, to be ready for next year 





ROCK or alpine gardening is most fas- 

 cinating. The charm of the diminu- 

 tive mountain plants, bursting into 

 bloom through the melting snow, and 

 continuing with their mats and curtains of differ- 

 ent color into the autumn, creating a surprise 

 for each morning, can not be equaled by any 

 other flowers; and, contrary to popular prejudice, 

 "alpine" culture is aseasyas it is delightful. There 

 are only a few fundamental laws to obey, and if 

 these are faithfully respected, the gardener 

 will be wonderfully repaid. 



In the plantation of alpines nature must be 

 copied as to environment as truly as possible. 

 The high Alps being barren of forestation, 

 it follows that no rock garden must be placed 

 under trees, for the dripping winter rain would 

 not only kill the plants themselves but the 

 tree roots would sap the nourishment from 

 the soil, even though the trees were some dis- 

 tance away. Full exposure is essential. Abun- 

 dant drainage must be provided, for the fastidious 

 alpines will not tolerate stagnant water. 



WITH these fundamental principles firmly in 

 mind, the erection of the rock work can be 

 started. Native rocks which are near at hand 

 should by all means be selected. It is an error 

 to use other than domestic material, and weather 

 beaten rocks are preferable to those with newly 

 cut surfaces. Artificial stone, brick, clinkers, 

 and cement monstrosities should be tabooed. 

 Adhere closely to the natural, and your result 

 will be accordingly true and artistic. 



Even as a mountain for some distance around 

 it shows here and there outcroppings of rocks, 

 so the builder of an alpine garden should have 

 rocks projecting from the ground, which should 

 become more infrequent as the distance from the 

 main rockery increases — a rock garden should 

 never rise abruptly from the lawn. Another 

 point is, locate it as far as possible from buildings 

 and formal surroundings, for their association is 

 incongruous. 



Bad construction, 

 cement at D, E, and 

 !• prevents root growth 

 in crevices. H, I, and 

 J. Observe long root 

 growth on plants A, 

 B, and C 



~\X/ r HEN placing the rocks it is advisable to ex- 

 * * cavate for about two feet and to fill this 

 with broken bricks or rocks, or any material 

 that will create excellent drainage unless the site 

 is naturally very fully drained. The largest 

 rocks should then be put in place, two thirds 

 buried in the earth, and the various strata of 

 rock should lie in the same direction. The base 

 of the rockery now being prepared, grit, small 

 broken stone, soil and sand are placed on and be- 

 tween them, thoroughly tamped and wet down 

 with the hose, so the utmost settlement will take 

 place immediately, and not the following winter, 



Poor construction. 

 Plant A will not thrive 

 on account of overhang- 

 ing rock B, which pre- 

 vents rain and moisture 

 from reaching it. Plant 

 C will die, as its root has 

 struck air pocket D 



•"A. 



when it will disturb, if not actually kill the plants. 

 Too much emphasis cannot be placed upon this. 



Never place rocks so that they overhang the 

 rocks beneath, as this ledge prevents water 

 from reaching whatever may be planted beneath 

 it. The second tier of rocks should be placed so 

 their faces are nearer the centre of the rock gar- 

 den than the tier below, and this should be done 

 with each succeeding tier. All stones should be 

 placed so the rain will drain INTO the rockery 

 to give moisture to the plant roots, and not be 

 allowed to drain ofF and wasted. Five feet is 

 sufficient height for a small rockery, as the top- 

 most plants are then on a level with the eye, and 

 can be easily enjoyed. 



Old sod, more grit and pieces of stone, soil, and 

 old lime rubbish should be added and thoroughly 

 tamped in as work proceeds. The last can be 

 had from any old building that is being torn down, 

 and the refuse of the bricklayer and plasterer is 

 waiting for him who will take it away. A large 

 number of alpines are lime lovers, and this they 

 enjoy and demand. 



As a finishing touch, go over the work again 

 with the hose, and tamp still further all earth 

 into the crevices and fissures between the rocks 

 and leave no air spaces. Alpines, though small 

 and seemingly living on the rocks have extremely 

 long toots, extending deeply between the rocks 

 in search of moisture. If these roots strike an air 

 pocket it means death. 



Cement should never be used in construction 

 work. Water dripping over the rocks is es- 

 pecially attractive, and can be inexpensively 

 arranged to be turned on or off at will. Still 



K, rough outer 

 part of rockery 

 for taller grow- 

 ers. M N, 

 curved edge of 

 driveway. PQ, 

 boundary lin ; 

 of property. 

 R S, boundary 

 of garden. 



