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By DIANE RELF
Virginia Tech Extension Home Horticulturist
Rock gardening began when gardeners tried to grow plants that were native to mountain regions at lower elevations. The use of rocks provided a cultural environment similar. to the plants’ natural habitat.
As rock gardening has become more popular, the selection of plants used in the practice has expanded considerably. It is hard to define exactly what a rock garden plant it.
Perhaps the best way to determine if a certain plant is appropriate is to consider if it would be in a similar setting in nature. The essence of a rock garden is its informal, natural appearance.
Many plants usually associated with more traditional flower beds and borders, such as dahlias, petunias, and geraniums are not suited to a rock garden. In general, most rock garden plants are low and compact and usually are perennials that can still be found in the wild somewhere in the world.
Rock gardens may be developed where a natural outcropping presents sufficient stones to design and plant an attractive setting. In this situation, many site characteristics, such as available light, are predetermined and you must identify plants that will do well in that location.
The first step is to examine existing plants to see which grow naturally.
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