Cathy Isom continues this series by giving you some helpful tips about how to choose the right type of plants that will work best for your rock garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.
In rock gardens, plants take center stage, so it’s important to choose wisely and carefully. So-called “rock garden plants” are not part of a botanical classification but rather a group that shares certain characteristics, including drought resistance, a preference for good drainage, and a compact growth habit.
The rock garden plants used to complement the rocks should be selected largely with your climate. This will help keep them low-maintenance. Rock gardens in warm climates call for plants different from those used in colder climates. If you live at high altitudes, you might want to consider a classic alpine rock garden. If you live in the desert, cacti and other succulents are a sensible choice. If your climate is warm and humid, ferns can be an excellent choice, as are begonias if you desire a flowering plant.
I’m Cathy Isom…