Comments on: How much water again?

Question: How much water again?

shothotbot — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 19:49:51 -0800

What are some good resources for a planning rock garden?

I have a very shady, six by eight foot nook formed by a corner of my house and a stone wall which which keeps the hill away from the house. It is too shady for anything else and I was thinking maybe a rock garden. What are some books or websites which will help me plan my garden?

By: faineant

faineant — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 00:12:49 -0800

Stone In The Garden is an excellent book for rock-garden-specific info, and my go-to book for planting in inhospitable areas is Lauren Springer's The Undaunted Garden. Springer's book has several sections specifically on planting in dry shade.

Sounds like a great project, good luck with it.

By: faineant

faineant — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 00:21:03 -0800

Also, you might check with your county horticultural extension office (Master Gardeners) for region specific suggestions on what plants will do well in your area, and in your climate and soil conditions. Extension offices offer loads of free and useful information for gardeners, and the vast majority of their services are free or low cost. Many extension offices have websites now, so it is worth searching for your county name + horticulture extension office.

Full disclosure: IAAMG, but not in your area.

By: shothotbot

shothotbot — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 08:52:43 -0800

Just to clarify: we have lots of lush, sunny land to plant green stuff in and I was thinking of this spot as a rock-only garden.

By: faineant

faineant — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 10:47:45 -0800

Ah, apologies - no plantings at all. You might do a search for Karesansui garden samples then - japanese 'dry landscape' gardens - I am sure there is lots of info available, and it could be inspiring if you like a zen garden feel.