Rock Garden Quarterly Spring 2012 - (Page 111)

The Seven A�ioms Rock gardening books can be great – as I say, I have a bookcase full of them. But there are certain underlying axioms that I believe are largely missed by garden books, and which I haven’t seen in magazines either. Any sort of gardening can be done by instinct, but rock gardeners who master, or who at least understand, these principles are apt to produce results that can keep them motivated – you can create the rock garden of your dreams. They say there are seven deadly sins: those who ignore these seven axioms might as well be wallowing in sinfulness: their rock gardens will soon go down the slippery slope and need major renovation. Or you had better go back to growing annuals, my friend! 1. Match plant selection to site There is an old rock song that says “if you cannot be with the one you love, love the one you are with.” Although I don’t think this is a very good philosophy for marriage, it is perfect for gardeners. If you live in Tucson, don’t try growing Porophyllum saxifrages. If you live in Maine, develop a taste for heathers and Ericaceae. Learn what does best for you and become enthusiastic about it! Gardens are really just modified ecosystems: determine which ecosystem or ecosystems you are recreating, or mimicking perhaps. And stick to it! I realize your hardy calla lily would look just stunning rising from a wonderful mat of Zauschneria californica, except the calla likes it wet and your Zauschneria is a xerophyte! Be sure to group plants that like similar soil, aspect and moisture regimes together. Don’t try making “pockets.” They don’t work. 2. put plants with siMilar water needs together. 3. avoid plants that do not self prune Avoid plants that do not self prune, which is to say, grow smaller plants whenever possible. Plants with tall stems, and large plants generally, produce biomass which is a nuisance to cut back—not to mention time consuming and a source of way too much herbage! One of the great joys of rock garden plants is that most require very little ongoing maintenance (i.e. they are self pruning). I spend less drudge time in my rock garden than in any other garden I have attempted: I am constantly deadheading and cutting back perennials in my borders, while my alpines look on in amusement. Half the time when I cut back alpines I’m really just collecting seed: they often look charming with their seedheads and would look and do just as well left alone! Seven Unheralded Axioms of Rock Gardening 111

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Rock Garden Quarterly Spring 2012

Geoffrey Charlesworth Writing Prize
2011 Photo Contest Winners
2012 Photo Contest Announcement
Seven Unheralded Axioms of Rock Gardening
Rock Gardening from Scratch: Vegetative Propagation - Understanding Cuttings
Newfoundland's Southern Limestone Barrens
William J. Dress, 1918-2011
DNA and the Changing Names of Plants ... and Making Sense of the Dicots
Jennings Prairie
Carl Gehenio, 1922-2011
Rock Gardening Roots
Plants that Dazzled me in 2011
Phipps Conservatory
Rock and Ink Struck into Flowers - A Response
Bulletin Board
2012 - Eastern Study Weekend: October, Pittsburgh - Registration form and details

Rock Garden Quarterly Spring 2012