Rock garden ideas: How to design your own

As eco-friendly landscaping becomes the norm, many savvy homeowners are seeking rock garden ideas. A rock garden is loosely defined as a space where natural stone and other hardscape elements serve as the primary focus of a garden design.

They’re a favorite in dry climates for conserving water while still showing off your outdoor space in a creative and aesthetically pleasing way.

However, you can build your own rock garden, regardless of where you live. Whether you want ideas for a large space or a small addition to an existing landscape, here is a simple guide to making your rock garden ideas come to life:

Rock garden materials for a natural aesthetic

When choosing rocks for your rock garden, it’s a good idea to go with stones native to your region. This can help drastically with keeping your costs down, as it won’t need to be shipped from far away. However, if you have your heart set on a particular type of rock, there’s no reason beyond cost not to make it happen - just be prepared for a longer wait and a larger price tag.

If you want to achieve a weathered aesthetic, choose softer, porous rock varieties. These rocks are more receptive to changes from moss, lichen and environmental factors compared to harder varieties.

Rock garden experts also suggest selecting rocks that are complementary to each other in terms of color, texture and form. While it’s great to have a natural mixture of sizes and shapes, rocks that contrast too much might make a garden seem cluttered.

Choosing the right plants

While the rocks are the key element of a rock garden, plants still play an important role in the design. One way to choose plants for rock gardens is to mimic the plants naturally occurring in the landscape you’re trying to mimic. For example, alpine plants for a high-mountain garden, and cacti for a desert theme.

Some other suggestions for plants to add to your rock garden include:

• Coastal ornamental grasses like beach grass and fountain grass add texture and volume to beach rock gardens.
• For a warm and humid climate, try lush ferns, colorful begonias and other tropical varieties suited to your area.

Rock garden design doesn’t have to be complicated. If you’re in need of inspiration, consider these rock garden ideas to help you get started on your design journey.