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    The Modern Rock Garden - With Chapters on Preparation and Construction
    The Modern Rock Garden - With Chapters on Preparation and Construction
    The Modern Rock Garden - With Chapters on Preparation and Construction
    Ebook79 pages57 minutes

    The Modern Rock Garden - With Chapters on Preparation and Construction

    By Herbert Cowley

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    About this ebook

    Rockeries are often a simple addition to a garden that can completely change it, providing an interesting focal point and giving your outside space a bit of much-needed variety. “The Modern Rock Garden “ is a classic guide to creating a beautiful rockery, with chapters on what and how to plant, general design, propagating shrubs and alpine plans, common problems, and much more. Highly recommended for keen gardeners and DIY enthusiasts. Contents Include: “Preparation", "Construction", "The Moraine or Scree Garden", "Sinks and Troughs", "The Rock Bed", "Planting and After-care", "Propagation", "Shrubs and their Uses", "Alpine Plants", "Bulbs", and "Some other Treasures, and Conclusion”. Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially-commissioned new introduction on the history of gardening.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRead Books Ltd.
    Release dateAug 26, 2016
    ISBN9781473353503
    The Modern Rock Garden - With Chapters on Preparation and Construction

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      Book preview

      The Modern Rock Garden - With Chapters on Preparation and Construction - Herbert Cowley

      CHAPTER I

      Preparation

      Before making a rock garden it is well to take some walks among natural rocks, or on the downs and hills, and to study carefully the face of cliffs or rocks; not that it is wise, even were it possible, to copy Nature too closely—even she breaks forth in strange eruptions, as when some huge rock is disintegrated by a terrific upheaval and the fragments scattered in disorder. Yet, by viewing the outcrop on the hillside and the fabric of the cliff face we are prevented from making conspicuous mistakes. In other words, we cannot and, perhaps, do no want to bring Nature’s work into the rock garden, and still less do we wish to commit glaring and obvious mistakes which will take us very far from her.

      When making a rock or alpine garden, the main object of most people is to provide conditions as near as possible to the ideal for the growth of plants from high regions and for others which, by form and habit, lend themselves to this mode of cultivation. The site is, perhaps, the greatest problem likely to beset, at the beginning, the majority of would-be alpine gardeners; it is here necessary to close one’s eyes to much that is wrong, even impossible, in natural surroundings. Were rock gardens constructed only on ideal sites and in correct environment, there would be very few of these delightful creations in gardens to-day; such a bar would put without the pale nearly everyone except the owners of very large gardens. The only possible advice is to choose the most natural position available, one quite open and exposed, clear of trees and so placed that, by careful planting in juxtaposition, much may be done to conceal the existing surroundings. Take every advantage of a slope or of any broken ground; if there is the crowning mercy of water, seize it with both hands. And here, thus early, take heed of serious warning—unless a natural stream is present, or unless a running supply can be obtained, have none of it; an artificial stagnant pool dependent upon rains or manual labour for its contents will become, sooner or later, a pollution and an eyesore, and will detract from the beauty of an otherwise well-made rock garden.

      The very few will enjoy the rare privilege of rocky ground; do not interfere with the placing of the stones—some uncovering, some modifications, perhaps a few additions, and a good rock garden, an ideal home for plants, is made available.

      Suppose there are none of these Heaven-sent gifts but just an ordinary average site in the usual type of garden; a lawn, a paddock, a position even within the cultivated area. Is it possible to construct a really nice rock garden? Yes, easily; we know of one very beautiful alpine garden in a large backyard, with a high wall as a background! The wall is always something of an eyesore, but the alpine garden is a gem of its kind and has been, for many years, a congenial home for a very fine collection of plants. Here is an illustration of not too closely copying Nature; in this backyard it was impossible, and so the next best thing was done—environment was ignored and the very best done with the space at command. This, of course, is an extreme case and merely serves to show what may be accomplished from the most unpromising material.

      A good example of outcropping rock.  The scattered rocks in the foreground suggest their continuity beneath the turf, and interest is easily led to the bolder masses of the main rock garden

      A bold outcrop of Westmorland rock reconstructed in a Surrey garden. 25 tons of rock were used

      A spring picture in the rock garden

      (Direct photograph in natural colour (Agfa process) by George Dillistone, F.I.L.A.)

      Aubrietia on a rock edging to a border. The variety is rosea splendens

      (Direct photograph in natural colour (Finlay process) by R. M. Fanstone, A.R.P.S.)

      The choice of suitable stone is of first importance. If rock occurs naturally in the vicinity, if it is hard and impervious to weather, then the local product is the obvious choice, both from the point of view of expense and because it will the more easily harmonize with the surroundings. If rock has to be imported, then there is a wide choice, but—and this is fraught with immense importance—never associate with each other rocks of different formations; such a medley will create an artificial impression, no matter how skilful

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