AN OUTDOOR HOBBY

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 276, 11 February 1928, Page 19

AN OUTDOOR HOBBY

CHARMS OF A ROCK GARDEN By HELEN GREIG SOUTER Rock gardening, which, within the last few years, has become a recognised science in the realm of horticulture, has laid its spell on many a woman who previously was content simply to potter about casually witjy plants and flowers. It certainly is a very fascinating occupation and one which yields quick results and a great amount of satisfaction. Many amateurs who started a rock garden simply because “everybody’s doing it,” soon became enthusiasts when, they realised how readily Alpine plants and other beautiful dwarf-like gems responded to care and ‘attention. The work grows in beauty and interest every month, and allows more than the usual scope for originality in arrangement and colour schemes. One of the joys of this particular kind of gardening is that there is no dead season- Even in the depth of winter, one can always count on a certain amount of freshness and greenness. Don’t Pack A pitfall which besets the path of the beginner is the tendency to collect and arrange the stones and pack them so closely together that little or no space is left for the growth of the plants. This is bad enough, but it is even worse when insufficient attention is given to the consideration of a suitable site which necessarily is of the greatest importance. One thing which must be borne in mind in this respect, is that the position chosen must not be under trees, the drips of which are most injurious to the kind of plant required- . Alpine treasures should be at least fifteen feet away from the nearest tree, as they require a great amount of light sunshine, air and space if they are to flourish. Best Position Generally speaking, an open southeasterly aspect is most favourable, and if there is nearby a belt of trees to shelter the site from the north-west winds, so much the better. The question of drainage is also important, and must be considered from the beginning.. On this account, sloping ground is desirable, as it lends itself well to the purpose of a complete system of draining. It stands to reason that unless there are means for carrying off the water, the soil will become sour and the plants ruined. Secret of Success Much of the success of a rock garden depends on the nature of the soil, which should either be gritty loam or else of a fibrous type, and if there is a subsoil of light sand, the plants are cer--1 tain to do well. . Heavy clayey soil is ! practically useless for this purpose. A collection of stone chips placed on the top helps to retain the moisture and enables the surplus water tp escape. A soft stone like sandstone is better suited for the construction of a rock garden than a less porous and harder variety, and if there are “pockets,” these, too, play their part in the process of drainage. By themselves, however, they are not sufficiently drained to support any but a few saxifrages and house leeks (semper vivium). Channels must, therefore, be formed by placing several small rocks together so that the rain and moisture may get away easily. The rocks should be disposed so that at least three-fourths of them are buried in the soil. A Flagged Pathway j One of the most effective of rock gar- ; dens was made by a friend of mine in the dullest, darkest part of her villa i garden, which was thus transformed i into a thing of beauty and a continual ! joy,, not only to herself, but to the j casual passer-by. I The centre was occupied by a conI ventional summerhouse, which had been | thatched by the sole remaining craftsman of the kind in the neighbourhood. By its doorway stood a semi-circular I stone bench, in the back of which was ; planted a variety of well-known Alpine and other plants. A flagged pathway stretched inwards to a green water barrel, and was flanked by a riotous growth of rock plants set in boulders for the most part. This rock-garden represented a considerable amount of time and trouble , and displayed artistic taste, but it was well worth it all, for no more picturesque and charming effect could be imj agined.