The best laid rocks and plans often run into delays
Regular readers might remember I wrote a column back in February about rock gardens and my plans to finally build one this year. But gardeners will understand that ambitious plans made in the dark hole of winter don’t always see the light.
By July I’d done nothing, and I was hoping no one would come around or call up asking if I’d even started work on it. It didn’t help that the strip of ground I’d planned for a rock garden bordered the steps on the approach to my front door — and my mailbox. I was reminded daily of my commitment and starting to feel guilty about the lack of progress, even though it was only a rock garden and not a border wall. Each day, or on those when I get mail delivery, I worried that my postie would make some comment about my lack of progress.
I can proudly announce that my rock garden is now complete, despite my having waited until the hot, steamy days of August to commence work on it. I blame my procrastination on three things — lack of rocks, aggressive periwinkle, and wondering what to do with a solitary yew the size of a refrigerator.
Every little piece of periwinkle would have to be dug out and I dreaded the thought that it would eventually return as the dominant plant. Fortunately, because of periwinkle’s shallow roots, it turned out to be a lot easier than expected. As for the old yew, I had considered removing it completely but, with judicious pruning, instead of a refrigerator it now resembles a large version of a bonsai tree.
The rock issue was resolved when I discovered a friend had an abundance lying about his country property and no interest whatsoever in harvesting them. “Take all you want,” he said, with surprising encouragement. A couple of trips, creaking shocks, and I had a substantial pile of gnarly old limestone rocks piled in the driveway.
I already had three extra large ones that have been slowly sinking into a flower bed beside the driveway for over 20 years. I chose to dig them out and relocate them. They were too heavy by far to lift, and too misshapen to easily roll. I managed it with a combination of boards, ramps, muscled help, serious grunting, and a skateboard — yes, a skateboard. (I find it extremely useful for moving heavy items.)
The smaller rocks were much easier to handle. I carried each one up the steps and carefully placed it in precisely the right spot. It was a little like doing a jigsaw puzzle without a picture to guide me. I did that with the first few. As I grew weary, I kicked them around where I’d dumped them, and hurled the last ones from the driveway. Somehow, I achieved the look I wanted.
The words I wrote in February described a traditional rock garden as resembling the exposed surface of an underground formation after the overlying soil has eroded, or a shaley scree on a rocky hillside. Let’s say mine is closer to the former.
Part of it receives a good bit of sun, a little is in shade and, overall, it’s bathed in reflective light from the white siding of the neighbouring house. The plants I’ve used are a combination of ground covers like For more expert gardening advice from David Hobson, go to therecord.com Scottish moss and sedums; low growing dianthus, ferns, and small favourites — many of which were somewhat lost among larger plants in my other flower beds. By being isolated and elevated somewhat in the rock garden, they’ll be more prominently displayed.
Now that it’s complete, I have to say I’m pleased with the result. I just hope the postie is impressed.
I need a new project. Maybe it’s time I learned how to ride that skateboard.
•••
To chat with local gardeners, share tips, pics, or discuss rock gardens, see Grand Gardeners on Facebook.
David Hobson gardens in Waterloo and is happy to answer garden questions, preferably by email: garden@gto.net. Reach him by mail c/o In the Garden, The Record, 160 King St. E., Kitchener, Ont. N2G 4E5