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Many of us have a sloping or rocky (or both) area in
our landscapes that requires some extra attention. One of
the ways to build an attractive Garden area is to use
rocks and low-growing plants in a rock Garden. There are
many annuals that work well in this type of setting.
Let's assume that all the preparatory work in the
Garden has been done. This prep work should have included
using rocks of the same geological type for the best
effect. It should also have included soil amendments, such
as addition of organic matter, and thought as to how the
Garden will be watered. Most alpine/rock Garden plants
must have good drainage.
Some rules of thumb for planting rock/alpine Gardens
include using many different types of plants, including
annuals. Each type of plant should be repeated several
times within the Garden to create a more natural effect.
Try not to overplant the Garden so that rocks and mulch
are covered up quickly during the growing season. Plant
species that are low-growing and have a clumping growth
habit.
Most of the plants that are best suited for rock
Gardens are perennials. However, there are a few annuals
that fit in quite well with this type of landscape. Some
of them include: dianthus (Dianthus Barbados), allysum
(Lobularia maritima), portulaca (Portulaca grandiflora),
and vinca (Catharanthus roseus).
Dianthus is available in shades of white, pink, and
red. Dianthus is in the carnation family and has the
clumping habit that works well in rock Gardens. This
species also likes cool nights and bright, sunny days so
it's a natural for our Colorado summers. If dianthus is
planted in a protected area, it frequently will
overwinter. It also benefits from deadheading during the
summer to keep it blooming.
Alyssum is a very fragrant (some would say pungent)
mounding plant. Flowers are very small and white. It is
excellent as a border or accent plant for rock Gardens. It
prefers a sunny, dry, and well-drained location. It has a
tendency to reseed itself each year so you may find tiny
allysum seedlings each spring. Allysum is a very good
choice for rock/alpine Gardens because of its mounded
behavior. It will bloom all summer long.
Portulaca, or moss rose, is a very showy annual that
is available in a rainbow of colors. A very low growing
plant, it is perfect for warm, dry areas such as might be
found in a rock or alpine Garden. The flowers of annual
portulaca are interesting in that they close up at night.
This is tough plant that thrives on neglect. It also has a
tendency to reseed itself, so look for tiny seedlings in
your Garden each spring.
Annual flowering vinca is another plant that likes
dry, warm conditions. Available in white as well as shades
of pink and red, the annual type of vinca forms dense
clumps with very showy flowers. Many of the white
varieties have centers of other colors, adding to their
attractiveness. This is another plant that benefits from
deadheading during the growing season to keep it blooming
freely.
With a little advanced planning and careful selection
of plants, your rock or alpine Garden can be full of color
all summer long.
For more information on Gardening, contact your
local Colorado State University Extension office.
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