The best plants for rockery

Rockery plants are common in gardens that need to bridge uneven terrain, but also in those who want to stand out for their rustic and alpine-style decoration. These are specific bushes for this type of rocky areas that have a great growth capacity to form plant covers.

We say this because plants for rockery are still families that, due to their resistance to drought and their roots in poor and dry land, fit perfectly to clean up or cover any arid or poorly cared for complex. They are companions that will provide us with beautiful leaves and flowers, throughout the year, that will give personality to our garden.

Whether out of necessity or for pleasure, we can count on rockery plants that will allow us to beautify these natural ensembles even more; creating volumes and vivid colors around these green areas as small ecosystems.

TIPS FOR CHOOSING PLANTS FOR ROCKERY

The key to these decorative shrubs is not just their location and placement in the garden. In addition, the use of rockery plants can help us create points of color and dynamism in different parts of our garden: a perfect way to endow the stone with life around it.

And although we can opt for a single range when using these vegetables, the truth is that playing with a combination of them will allow us to always have a natural presence, arbitrary compositions and staggered blooms.

It is important to note that rock gardens typically have rapid drainage cycles with a high permeability to water. So if our garden is like this, we will have to consider this fact when choosing plants for rockeries. Although arid soils are recommended for its growth, this bush is not at all demanding with the conditions of the land, which allows us to play with a combination of perennial and seasonal plants. In this way, at any time of the year our rockery will have vegetation to a greater or lesser extent.

Lastly, and depending on the size of the area to be cultivated, we will have to choose to mix larger plants for the rear with smaller ones at the front. In this way we will be covering the aggregates and the effect we are looking for with this type of decorative plants will be achieved.

A beautiful contrast between still and living nature to be enjoyed all year round.

FIVE FAMILIES OF ROCKERY PLANTS

Although the most used have always been those of alpine origin, it is also true that we can use many other variants that will brighten up those inert areas of the garden. We can choose between choosing to grow rockeries individually or together. If we opt for the latter, a piece of advice: do a planning exercise so that both once they grow they have enough space, as well as when it comes to flowering times. Thus, these ramifications will not only be able to grow with peace of mind but, in addition, we will even guarantee that we will be able to have this area with flowers all year round.

Let ‘s see five families of rockery plants that we can plant both individually and in combination:

1. Flowering shrubs

Although we can use deciduous shrubs, the ideal is that we opt for the evergreen variant. In this way, even in winter, our corner to plant will have the color of green leaves during the twelve months of the year.

The Azalea, the Rhododendron or the Lavender are three perfect shrubs to fill any garden or arid land. Beyond their specific care, they are special because they tolerate low winter temperatures well and shine in all their splendor when spring arrives.

2. Dwarf conifers

We can find a wide variety of shapes, sizes and even shades. They are perfect plants to use in rockery with which we can even play by combining different species, since their care is very similar. If they differ in anything, it is in their growth and it is that we can find conifers with vertical, circular or even upholstery growth.

The Thuya Nana or the Ciprés Nana can be perfect for rockery corners that seek height, while the Junipero Squamata or the carpeting will be the perfect choice if we seek to create a plant cover for the ground.

3. Succulent plants

The truth is that there are few places where it is not possible to grow and enjoy the incredible beauty and variety of succulents. Not only because they will adapt wonderfully to this rocky habitat, but also because, in their growth, we will be able to see how they cover the aggregates, embellishing them even more.

In this case it is difficult to opt for a couple of succulents, but without a doubt the Immortelle and the Echeveria develop at a good pace among the rockery stones.

4. Bulb plants

These plants are another classic for any gardening lover, and it is not for less! Bulb plants not only allow us to have flowers throughout the year in a staggered manner, but also require very little care on our part. Try mixing various styles!

Nerine, Freesias, Tulips, Hyacinths and Daffodils: can be a good selection if we want to have almost constant floral presence.

5. Groundcover plants

They are perfect if what we are looking for is to cover the ground. Added, this type of green usually requires little care so they will not be very slaves. Among all the options, let’s see only two completely different ones: the Alyssum, characterized by its discreet white flowers, and the Verbena tapestry, with an exuberant flowering in colors.

Five types of rockery plants perfect for enjoying this corner of the garden. Which ones do you have in yours?