SOIL AND FOOD 
Many rock plants will thrive in average garden soil, but a few are finicky. Almost all 
demand good drainage. Many rock garden experts use quantities of finely crushed 
rock, working it into the soil around and deep down among the rocks. Most rocks act 
like sponges, absorbing moisture and aiding to keep the soil porous and cool. A few 
rock plants, Daphne for one and some of the Dianthus, like a sweet or limestone soil 
while others prefer acid soils. Dicentra eximia, for example. The majority succeed in 
neutral soil. All are easily accommodated by making liberal pockets as 
needed and fitting the soil to specific plants. 
True alpines demand a very lean diet but the average relish a moder* 
ate mixture of very thoroughly rotted manure. Avoid commercial fer' 
tilizers. 
Always remember, a rock garden is 
primarily for rock plants. Rocks are largely 
incidental and only when quite large should 
they be conspicuous. 
Jee that a// rock 
are we// e/trbeddt 
t^in the. soil 
P/ettfy of rocks itr 
<soi/ be/ow sorface 
r ^fvock Garden Opportunities 
Gardening of any kind is opportunity, but in rock gardening 
the art reaches its zenith. Even the tiniest yard can have a rock gar- 
den and within its confines the joy of attainment may reign. Fine 
gardening depends but little upon area involved, especially in the 
realm of rock plants. 
Achievement in rock gardening means more than placing a 
collection of stones upon a mound of soil and planting among 
them a nondescript lot of plants. Choose the tenants with the 
utmost care for their suitability. Desirable rock plants are plentiful 
and by selecting carefully, your garden can be delightfully interesting throughout 
the entire year. 
The plans worked out in this booklet and the plants shown will produce enchanting 
pictures if you follow the simple directions. Avoid using tall vigorous kinds. The gay 
Iceland Poppy (Papaver nudicaule) is fine, but tall Oriental Poppies are surely out 
of place. The dainty Harebells (Campanula carpatica) are excellent but Campanula 
pyramidalis is too tall. 
Mass color results from planting two 
or three plants of a kind, more where 
space permits. 
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