NOTES ON A ROCK GARDEN. 



415 



NOTES ON A ROCK GARDEN. 



By D. Sarsons, Rock-garden Foreman, Wisley. 



[Read December 7, 1915 ; Rev. W. Wilks, M.A., V.M.H., in the Chair.] 



Some people are inclined to marvel at the very great increase in the 

 number of rock gardens which has taken place during the last few 

 years. But the reason for their popularity is not far to seek, for 

 they add a season of interest to the garden when other flowers are 

 scarce. From early in the spring, commencing in January, onward 

 right through the summer, there are always interesting plants in 

 flower, when, in other parts of the garden, flowers are not yet out, or 

 have more or less finished. A garden, therefore, hardly seems complete 

 without a rock garden in these days. With its many interesting 

 alpines tucked away snugly in little pockets ready to burst forth into 

 blossom when the time comes, the rock garden can always display a 

 number of little plants to surprise one by their brilliant flowers or 

 wonderful foliage. 



Rock gardens are at their best during April, May, and June, when 

 they should be a blaze of different colours, and if the plants are well 

 arranged they make a very fascinating picture. It should always be 

 remembered that the rock garden is the home of small alpines, and 

 that it should not be planted with other garden flowers such as 

 herbaceous plants or annuals, for these latter grow too rapidly and 

 would soon overgrow and destroy the many little rare plants which 

 mostly love plenty of light and air. 



Many people would gladly add a rock garden to their garden 

 if they only knew how easily a small one can be made, and often 

 the rock is lying unused and near at hand, from which, with a 

 little work and thought in arranging the stones, a very attractive 

 rock garden could be formed. The site for a rock garden should 

 not be surrounded or overhung by trees, but open to the warm sun- 

 shine, and sheltered if possible from north-east winds, which in early 

 spring are very destructive to the tender young alpine flowers, which 

 open early in the season, such for instance as Saxifraga Burseriana, 

 S. Burseriana major, S. Burseriana Gloria, S. Boydii, S. Boydii alba, 

 Iris Histrio, I. histrioides, I. reticulata, I. Danfordiae, and so on. 

 The rock garden should, if possible, face south or south-west, 

 as these aspects are more suitable for the majority of alpine 

 plants ; north and north-east are also useful aspects for some plants, 

 especially if sheltered from cold winds ; true northern aspects are 

 suitable for such plants as Ferns, Ramondias, Primulas, and 

 others, which love shade or half shade. 



