So, while we waited, during a hot summer’s day we got to work building a new rockery and painted the raised border and steps that our team previously constructed. A lovely rainbow sandstone fountain had already been fitted, with the customer starting to fill in around it with rocks that they have found on various holidays. This will look lovely once the plants start to creep around it!
Firstly, Caitlin weeded the area and then dug it over with a mattock. Large rocks had been saved for the rockery during the construction of the garden design, so we placed them around, working on the layout until it felt right. She then dug them in to make sure that they were solid and looked good jutting out of the soil.
Whilst Caitlin was working on the rockery I was painting the render on the steps and raised bed. The customer had chosen a pale country cream colour. This will look great combined with the stone work around the house windows that overlook the garden.
Our customer will be planting up the main border later this summer, following ideas that we have discussed with them on planting.
We used two trays of a variety of alpines and low growing ground cover plants. We also combined a few grasses to soften the space and to give a big of height and airy-ness. A prostrate Juniper and prostrate Rosemary were also added which will look wonderful cascading down the bank near the Acer. The customer will plant some dwarf bulbs in the autumn.
Once the plants were planted Caitlin lay horticultural grit around them. The soil was already pretty stony and well draining due to the slope. We’re looking forward to visiting soon to finish the rest of this garden and see how the rockery is growing and developing!
