rockery/rock garden

[0tterbot]

when people talk of a rockery or rock garden, what is it they mean? any
garden with rocks emerging above the surface, or is it more specific than
that?

similarly, if a plant is "good for rockeries", what does that mean? that it
drapes aesthetically over rocky bits, or is it a cultural notation? (wants
more heat & less water, or something like that?)

thanks!
kylie

[Terryc]

0tterbot wrote:
> when people talk of a rockery or rock garden, what is it they mean? any
> garden with rocks emerging above the surface, or is it more specific than
> that?

Well, a rock garden can grow rocks; large isolated rocks. That is where
we puy all out rock samples we collect on trips.

A rock garden also meant a gardem mulched with rocks/pebbles. This
design becomes popular every so often, the dies again when people
realise that eventually you have to dig up and wash off those rocks
every so often[1]
>
> similarly, if a plant is "good for rockeries", what does that mean? that it
> drapes aesthetically over rocky bits, or is it a cultural notation? (wants
> more heat & less water, or something like that?)

Yes. I take it to mean that plant either can tolerate or needs the extra
heat from rocks in the garden. Could also mean that it doesn't require
much soil, as in stuff that will grow onrock faces.

What is the plant?


[1] A previous owner of our place decided it was easier to just raise
the edges, buy more soil and rocks. So, one place in the garden provided
three layers of those 1"-2" river pebbles.

[FarmI]

"0tterbot" > wrote in message
...
> when people talk of a rockery or rock garden, what is it they mean? any
> garden with rocks emerging above the surface, or is it more specific than
> that?

Usually raised, rocks emerging and well drained.

> similarly, if a plant is "good for rockeries", what does that mean? that
> it drapes aesthetically over rocky bits, or is it a cultural notation?
> (wants more heat & less water, or something like that?)

Generally the plants need good drainage and won't tolerate wet feet. It
could also mean that they drape well over rocks or cascade down rock faced
walls or a few other things as well.

[Jonno[_9_]]

Wikopedia definition of rock garden (Sounds really great. Great example
in Melbourne is the Botanical Gardens in the city)
>Rock garden
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search

A rock garden, also known as a rockery or an alpine garden, is a type of
garden that features extensive use of rocks or stones, along with plants
native to rocky or alpine environments.

Rock garden plants tend to be small, both because many of the species
are naturally small, and so as not to cover up the rocks. They may be
grown in troughs (containers), or in the ground. The plants will usually
be types that prefer well-drained soil and less water.

The usual form of a rock garden is a pile of rocks, large and small,
esthetically arranged, and with small gaps between, where the plants
will be rooted. Some rock gardens incorporate bonsai.
A naturalistic rockery in England
A naturalistic rockery in England

Some rock gardens are designed and built to look like natural outcrops
of bedrock. Stones are aligned to suggest a bedding plane and plants are
often used to conceal the joints between the stones. This type of
rockery was popular in Victorian times, often designed and built by
professional landscape architects. The same approach is sometimes used
in modern campus or commercial landscaping, but can also be applied in
smaller private gardens.

The Japanese rock garden, in the west often referred to as Zen garden,
is a special kind of rock garden with hardly any plants.
link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_garden

FarmI wrote:
> "0tterbot" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>when people talk of a rockery or rock garden, what is it they mean? any
>>garden with rocks emerging above the surface, or is it more specific than
>>that?
>
>
> Usually raised, rocks emerging and well drained.
>
>
>>similarly, if a plant is "good for rockeries", what does that mean? that
>>it drapes aesthetically over rocky bits, or is it a cultural notation?
>>(wants more heat & less water, or something like that?)
>
>
> Generally the plants need good drainage and won't tolerate wet feet. It
> could also mean that they drape well over rocks or cascade down rock faced
> walls or a few other things as well.
>
>

[FarmI]

"Jonno" > wrote in message
> From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

> A rock garden, also known as a rockery or an alpine garden, is a type of
> garden that features extensive use of rocks or stones, along with plants
> native to rocky or alpine environments.

I think I'd quibble somewhat with Mr Wikipedia's defintion. Alpine plants
were certainly a part of the original rock gardens and very big in Europe
and IIRC, the US, but for Oz, they haven't really been a feature in recent
years except in specialist type gardens. The alpine plants were all the go
when people had rock gardens which went into specifics such as moraine,
scree, and peat landscapes etc. I haven't seen anything along those lines
in Oz suggesting such plantings for years now. It tends to be more along
the lines of Japanese type influences and putting natives into rock gardens
in more recent years.

[Jonno[_7_]]

FarmI wrote:
> "Jonno" > wrote in message
>> From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
>
>> A rock garden, also known as a rockery or an alpine garden, is a type of
>> garden that features extensive use of rocks or stones, along with plants
>> native to rocky or alpine environments.
>
> I think I'd quibble somewhat with Mr Wikipedia's defintion. Alpine plants
> were certainly a part of the original rock gardens and very big in Europe
> and IIRC, the US, but for Oz, they haven't really been a feature in recent
> years except in specialist type gardens. The alpine plants were all the go
> when people had rock gardens which went into specifics such as moraine,
> scree, and peat landscapes etc. I haven't seen anything along those lines
> in Oz suggesting such plantings for years now. It tends to be more along
> the lines of Japanese type influences and putting natives into rock gardens
> in more recent years.
>
>
Youre more than welcome to change the Wiki then.
As youre knowledgeable that can be easily done.
You are Mr Wikipedia too! (And should change it or at least add to it)
The site reflects what people put into it.
Its certainly a better encyclopedia.

But to look at the rock garden, its another innovative way to use youre
creativity.
I would suppose rock gardens are what you make them in the end.
They all pertain to what works for you in your area.
And can look terrific.

[FarmI]

"Jonno" .> wrote in message
> FarmI wrote:
>> "Jonno" > wrote in message
>>> From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
>>
>>> A rock garden, also known as a rockery or an alpine garden, is a type of
>>> garden that features extensive use of rocks or stones, along with plants
>>> native to rocky or alpine environments.
>>
>> I think I'd quibble somewhat with Mr Wikipedia's defintion. Alpine
>> plants were certainly a part of the original rock gardens and very big in
>> Europe and IIRC, the US, but for Oz, they haven't really been a feature
>> in recent years except in specialist type gardens. The alpine plants
>> were all the go when people had rock gardens which went into specifics
>> such as moraine, scree, and peat landscapes etc. I haven't seen anything
>> along those lines in Oz suggesting such plantings for years now. It
>> tends to be more along the lines of Japanese type influences and putting
>> natives into rock gardens in more recent years.
> Youre more than welcome to change the Wiki then.
> As youre knowledgeable that can be easily done.
> You are Mr Wikipedia too! (And should change it or at least add to it)
> The site reflects what people put into it.

I know about Mr Wiki's submissions from individuals but I suspect that in
this case it reflects more the traditional European definition that we would
use there these days.

> Its certainly a better encyclopedia.
>
> But to look at the rock garden, its another innovative way to use youre
> creativity.
> I would suppose rock gardens are what you make them in the end.
> They all pertain to what works for you in your area.
> And can look terrific.

Yes they can. Bit too fiddly for me these days.

[0tterbot]

"Terryc" > wrote in message
...
> 0tterbot wrote:
>> when people talk of a rockery or rock garden, what is it they mean? any
>> garden with rocks emerging above the surface, or is it more specific than
>> that?
>
> Well, a rock garden can grow rocks; large isolated rocks. That is where we
> puy all out rock samples we collect on trips.
>
> A rock garden also meant a gardem mulched with rocks/pebbles. This design
> becomes popular every so often, the dies again when people realise that
> eventually you have to dig up and wash off those rocks every so often[1]
>>
>> similarly, if a plant is "good for rockeries", what does that mean? that
>> it drapes aesthetically over rocky bits, or is it a cultural notation?
>> (wants more heat & less water, or something like that?)
>
> Yes. I take it to mean that plant either can tolerate or needs the extra
> heat from rocks in the garden. Could also mean that it doesn't require
> much soil, as in stuff that will grow onrock faces.
>
> What is the plant?

no one particular thing - just wondering what on earth the cultural note
"good for rockeries" actually means as i come across it quite a bit.

> [1] A previous owner of our place decided it was easier to just raise the
> edges, buy more soil and rocks. So, one place in the garden provided three
> layers of those 1"-2" river pebbles.

i have that in a few places too. (like there's not enough rocks just sitting
in the soil!!) it's tedious, but i consider those spots will have better
drainage & just carry on regardless. life is too short for sifting out river
pebbles!
kylie

[0tterbot]

"FarmI" <ask@itshall be given> wrote in message
...
> "0tterbot" > wrote in message
> ...
>> when people talk of a rockery or rock garden, what is it they mean? any
>> garden with rocks emerging above the surface, or is it more specific than
>> that?
>
> Usually raised, rocks emerging and well drained.
>
>> similarly, if a plant is "good for rockeries", what does that mean? that
>> it drapes aesthetically over rocky bits, or is it a cultural notation?
>> (wants more heat & less water, or something like that?)
>
> Generally the plants need good drainage and won't tolerate wet feet. It
> could also mean that they drape well over rocks or cascade down rock faced
> walls or a few other things as well.

i am gathering it's a code for a few different things. sigh!
klyie

[Jonno[_9_]]

FarmI wrote:
> "Jonno" .> wrote in message
>
>>FarmI wrote:
>>
>>>"Jonno" > wrote in message
>>>
>>>>From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
>>>
>>>>A rock garden, also known as a rockery or an alpine garden, is a type of
>>>>garden that features extensive use of rocks or stones, along with plants
>>>>native to rocky or alpine environments.
>>>
>>>I think I'd quibble somewhat with Mr Wikipedia's defintion. Alpine
>>>plants were certainly a part of the original rock gardens and very big in
>>>Europe and IIRC, the US, but for Oz, they haven't really been a feature
>>>in recent years except in specialist type gardens. The alpine plants
>>>were all the go when people had rock gardens which went into specifics
>>>such as moraine, scree, and peat landscapes etc. I haven't seen anything
>>>along those lines in Oz suggesting such plantings for years now. It
>>>tends to be more along the lines of Japanese type influences and putting
>>>natives into rock gardens in more recent years.
>>
>>Youre more than welcome to change the Wiki then.
>>As youre knowledgeable that can be easily done.
>>You are Mr Wikipedia too! (And should change it or at least add to it)
>>The site reflects what people put into it.
>
>
> I know about Mr Wiki's submissions from individuals but I suspect that in
> this case it reflects more the traditional European definition that we would
> use there these days.
>
>
>>Its certainly a better encyclopedia.
>>
>>But to look at the rock garden, its another innovative way to use youre
>>creativity.
>>I would suppose rock gardens are what you make them in the end.
>>They all pertain to what works for you in your area.
>>And can look terrific.
>
>
> Yes they can. Bit too fiddly for me these days.
>
>
Just for interest, just found out Mr Wikipedia (Jimmy Wales)is visiting us.
For those who may want to see him at $300, here is the newspaper
item >
http://www.smh.com.au/news/web/founder-downunder/2007/03/05/1172943343437.html
He will be at federation square. I cant afford him.

[Chookie]

In article
>,
Terryc > wrote:

> > similarly, if a plant is "good for rockeries", what does that mean? that it
> > drapes aesthetically over rocky bits, or is it a cultural notation? (wants
> > more heat & less water, or something like that?)
>
> Yes. I take it to mean that plant either can tolerate or needs the extra
> heat from rocks in the garden. Could also mean that it doesn't require
> much soil, as in stuff that will grow onrock faces.

I'd say "tough plant wrt sun, but needs good drainage". As my garden is on
clay, they are generally a bad choice for me. Note, however, that "good for
rockeries" depends somewhat on the writer. An English writer's idea of a good
rockery plant is almost never a good choice for me as it often needs cooler
winters and drier summers than mine, and sometimes alkaline soil too!

> [1] A previous owner of our place decided it was easier to just raise
> the edges, buy more soil and rocks. So, one place in the garden provided
> three layers of those 1"-2" river pebbles.

Some cousins bought a place where the back garden had been covered in black
plastic and quartz pebbles, then neglected for a decade. They only found out
about it when hubby attempted to mow the "back lawn" and put a pebble through
the kitchen window!

--
Chookie -- Sydney, Australia
(Replace "foulspambegone" with "optushome" to reply)

"Parenthood is like the modern stone washing process for denim jeans. You may
start out crisp, neat and tough, but you end up pale, limp and wrinkled."
Kerry Cue

[Max[_3_]]

0tterbot wrote:
> "FarmI" <ask@itshall be given> wrote in message
> ...
>> "0tterbot" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> when people talk of a rockery or rock garden, what is it they mean? any
>>> garden with rocks emerging above the surface, or is it more specific than
>>> that?
>> Usually raised, rocks emerging and well drained.
>>
>>> similarly, if a plant is "good for rockeries", what does that mean? that
>>> it drapes aesthetically over rocky bits, or is it a cultural notation?
>>> (wants more heat & less water, or something like that?)
>> Generally the plants need good drainage and won't tolerate wet feet. It
>> could also mean that they drape well over rocks or cascade down rock faced
>> walls or a few other things as well.
>
> i am gathering it's a code for a few different things. sigh!
> klyie
>
>


When I think of them, I tend to think more of grottos. It must be my
Catholic school upbringing! :-) I would be described as a lapsed
Catholic these days though <g>. At various schools I went to, they had
some really beautiful grottos. Built from natural rock and old and moss
covered ferro-cement, with a garden seat inside to sit and pray. Always
complete with ferns growing from pockets in the walls, hanging baskets
dripping with chain-of-hearts, and a white statue of Mary holding baby
Jesus or Mary showing you the bleeding heart of Jesus with thorns and a
cross. All tucked away in some corner of the garden. As a kid these
grottos always seamed shrouded in beauty and very mystical and even
magical. Cool and dark and moist places, surrounded by roses, fruit
trees and grass, and outside that, the dry hot old NSW country side.
Probably the only good thing about going to Catholic boarding school.
Thanks for the memories Klyie! :-)

Remain in light.
-Max

--
"All my life, I always wanted to be somebody.
Now I see that I should have been more specific."
--
Netscape>Mozilla Suite>Seamonkey
The proud tradition continues!
All in one internet application suit
http://www.mozilla.org/projects/seamonkey/releases/seamonkey1.1.1

[0tterbot]

"Max" > wrote in message
...
> When I think of them, I tend to think more of grottos. It must be my
> Catholic school upbringing! :-) I would be described as a lapsed Catholic
> these days though <g>. At various schools I went to, they had some really
> beautiful grottos. Built from natural rock and old and moss covered
> ferro-cement, with a garden seat inside to sit and pray. Always complete
> with ferns growing from pockets in the walls, hanging baskets dripping
> with chain-of-hearts, and a white statue of Mary holding baby Jesus or
> Mary showing you the bleeding heart of Jesus with thorns and a cross. All
> tucked away in some corner of the garden. As a kid these grottos always
> seamed shrouded in beauty and very mystical and even magical. Cool and
> dark and moist places, surrounded by roses, fruit trees and grass, and
> outside that, the dry hot old NSW country side. Probably the only good
> thing about going to Catholic boarding school. Thanks for the memories
> Klyie! :-)

:-D

i must say, that all sounds much more appealing than what they usually mean
by a rockery, eh ;-) (except the bleeding heart of jesus, maybe - i think
that would disrupt my contemplation something severe.)

we used to live near an (ex?)convent with a grotto like that, & a lovely old
garden. it was fab, but i was always too scared to ask for a look round of
course.

my grandma (oddly, she's from the methodist side of the family) had a saint
teresa with eyes that would follow you all around the room. mon dieu!! it
was horrible. but let's not get started on the perils of catholicism <g>
kylie

[Max[_3_]]

0tterbot wrote:
> "Max" > wrote in message
> ...
>> When I think of them, I tend to think more of grottos. It must be my
>> Catholic school upbringing! :-) I would be described as a lapsed Catholic
>> these days though <g>. At various schools I went to, they had some really
>> beautiful grottos. Built from natural rock and old and moss covered
>> ferro-cement, with a garden seat inside to sit and pray. Always complete
>> with ferns growing from pockets in the walls, hanging baskets dripping
>> with chain-of-hearts, and a white statue of Mary holding baby Jesus or
>> Mary showing you the bleeding heart of Jesus with thorns and a cross. All
>> tucked away in some corner of the garden. As a kid these grottos always
>> seamed shrouded in beauty and very mystical and even magical. Cool and
>> dark and moist places, surrounded by roses, fruit trees and grass, and
>> outside that, the dry hot old NSW country side. Probably the only good
>> thing about going to Catholic boarding school. Thanks for the memories
>> Klyie! :-)
>
> :-D
>
> i must say, that all sounds much more appealing than what they usually mean
> by a rockery, eh ;-) (except the bleeding heart of jesus, maybe - i think
> that would disrupt my contemplation something severe.)
>
> we used to live near an (ex?)convent with a grotto like that, & a lovely old
> garden. it was fab, but i was always too scared to ask for a look round of
> course.
>
> my grandma (oddly, she's from the methodist side of the family) had a saint
> teresa with eyes that would follow you all around the room. mon dieu!! it
> was horrible. but let's not get started on the perils of catholicism <g>
> kylie
>
>


LOL! Yes there is some really creepy iconography in the RC tradition.
There's nothing new under the sun though. Most if not all of the
Christian myths and rituals come from Pagan traditions. The idea of the
dying god for instance. Have you ever heard the folk song "John
Barelycorn (must die)"?


There was three kings into the east,
Three kings both great and high,
And they hae sworn a solemn oath
John Barleycorn should die.

They took a plough and plough'd him down,
Put clods upon his head,
And they hae sworn a solemn oath
John Barleycorn was dead.

But the cheerful Spring came kindly on'
And show'rs began to fall;
John Barleycorn got up again,
And sore surpris'd them all.

The sultry suns of Summer came,
And he grew thick and strong:
His head weel arm'd wi pointed spears,
That no one should him wrong.

The sober Autumn enter'd mild,
When he grew wan and pale;
His bendin joints and drooping head
Show'd he began to fail.

His colour sicken'd more and more,
He faded into age;
And then his enemies began
To show their deadly rage.

They've taen a weapon, long and sharp,
And cut him by the knee;
They ty'd him fast upon a cart,
Like a rogue for forgerie.

They laid him down upon his back,
And cudgell'd him full sore.
They hung him up before the storm,
And turn'd him o'er and o'er.

They filled up a darksome pit
With water to the brim,
They heav'd in John Barleycorn-
There, let him sink or swim!

They laid him upon the floor,
To work him farther woe;
And still, as signs of life appear'd,
They toss'd him to and fro.

They wasted o'er a scorching flame
The marrow of his bones;
But a miller us'd him worst of all,
For he crush'd him between two astones.

And they hae taen his very hero blood
And drank it round and round;
And still the more and more they drank,
Their joy did more abound.

John Barleycorn was a hero bold,
Of noble enterprise;
For if you do but taste his blood,
'Twill make your courage rise.

'Twill make a man forget his woe;
'Twill heighten all his joy:
'Twill make the widow's heart to sing,
Tho the tear were in her eye.

Then let us toast John Barleycorn,
Each man a glass in hand;
And may his great posterity
Ne'er fail in old Scotland!


Remain in light.
-Max

--
I love being married.
It's so great to find that one special person
you want to annoy for the rest of your life.
--
Netscape>Mozilla Suite>Seamonkey
The proud tradition continues!
All in one internet application suit.
http://www.mozilla.org/projects/seamonkey/releases/seamonkey1.1.1