Rock Gardens

Alpine plants and drought-tolerant planting for rockeries.

Rock gardens recreate alpine and free-draining conditions — grit, stone and sun-loving compact plants. Success comes from sharp drainage and plants that prefer lean soil over rich compost.

Design tips

• Build with free-draining grit and bury stones so they look settled, not perched.
• Group plants by water need — alpines hate winter wet around the collar.
• Use a mix of mats, cushions and small uprights for natural texture.
• Keep fertile compost away from true alpines; lean soil is a feature.
• Top-dress with grit to suppress weeds and keep foliage dry.

Recommended plants

• Sedum — Drought-tough mats and late colour
• Thyme — Aromatic ground-hugging carpets
• Saxifrage — Cushion alpines for crevices
• Aubrieta — Spring cascades over stone
• Dianthus — Compact pinks for sunny ledges
• Sempervivum — Rosettes for the driest pockets