Take a look at these stunning rock gardens for a wealth of color and design inspiration.
To create a picture-perfect scene, experiment with wildflowers in an array ofcomplementary hues.
For a layered look and all-over color, combine mounded plants andgroundcoverwith various sizes of shrubs for vertical interest.
Boulders, Mexican pebbles in a dry creek bed, and awinding brick pathwaylend natural texture and additional drama.
Best of all, the yard looks vibrant all year and never needs mowing.
Buy salvaged or second-hand natural stone locally to blend with the surroundings.
Shopping in person lets you snag the perfect rocks for your garden.
Both plants are drought-tolerant and thrive with little maintenance.
Drought-resistant plants are great for rock gardens, making them perfect for hard-to-water areas like slopes and shallow ground.
This rock garden features a warmcolor scheme of pink, red, and yellow blooms for a cohesive look.
The bed is tightly planted to achieve the carefree feel typical ofcottage gardens.
Embrace Sculptural Beauty
As you choose plants and design your garden, consider form and color.
Pairperennial favoriteswith evergreens that bring year-round texture and height to the scene.
Introduce Drought-Tolerant Plants
Drought-tolerant plants and rock gardening are natural partners.
Many favorites can stand up to harsh conditions and don’t require much care.
It’s easy to achieve a lush look withoutextra wateringby paying close attention to your plant choices.
Plan to pair plantsnative to your regionwith eye-catching favorites like silvery lavender, artemisia, and dianthus.
Incorporate Stunning Dwarf Conifers
Dwarf conifers are an ideal addition to any rock garden.
Here, its cheerful pink blooms complement the warm tones of the surrounding boulders.
Rocks retain moisture and release it slowly, making crevices ideal for moisture-loving plants.
The rocks along the garden’s edge lend definition while complementing its rustic nature.
Choose flower colors opposite one another on the color wheel.
Here, the chartreuse of a sedum groundcover offers a striking contrast to theburgundy foliageofHeuchera.
The contrasting hues pop against the surrounding rocks and call attention to smaller plants that might be overlooked.
Place larger stones first and keep the strata aligned.
Designing with Succulents
A rock garden can give adiminutive succulenta place to shine.
Here,hens-and-chickstucks into a rocky crevice and stands out with contrasting green and red hues.
