Rock Garden Opportunztzes 
Pools and rock gardens go together so often that we are in- 
cluding a few pages of instructions on rock gardens in this book. 
Even the tiniest yard can have a rock garden, perhaps combined 
with a tub for water lilies and aquatics, and much joy can result 
therefrom. But do not be mistaken in your conception of a 
rock garden. 
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. 





























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 esaily 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 mode- 
E 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. 
Path $4 hy 
ne, ee a BY $f See that all rocks 
Mass color results from planting two eee? ore well clnbedded 


mea) WA 
ren AMARA 
or three plants of a kind, more where = a7. sine, /1t the soil 
e ” irae. " A of, Vf SY): > “Wee, FP wii 
space permits. [aoe ANN pen WA% Re Aap SSWZAI5 Aa 
Plenty of rocks ia ~ [Tgp r ART LD i SS y Ne 
soil below surface es ILE IEG 
< eA SR > 4, 
4 Peay , 
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SY TS ARY 
Page 26 
