23 Rock Garden Ideas for Every Type of Landscape
Who knew stones could be so spectacular?
If even succulents elude you, a rock garden might be just the solution. But if you're interested in creative rock garden ideas, it's worth debunking one common misconception right off the bat: That is, that rock gardens are composed entirely (and exclusively) of rocks. Not so. While traditional Japanese rock gardens employ stones, sand, and brushed gravel as foundational elements, moss, pruned trees, and bushes are instrumental in creating a holistic space. There are also English rock gardens, which make use of ornate masonry and ornamental shrubbery to create composed and meditative spaces. Finally, a third type of rock garden is one inspired by mountain peaks, where craggy terrain and dry conditions give way to rugged alpine displays. Whatever type of rock garden suits your space, lifestyle and gardening expertise, start with the stone and build outwards with varying textures and colors of plants. Either way, it's a rock solid idea.
Stone Sculpture
Here, Greenblott Design installed a pressed stone column sculpture as a focal point in a bed of caradonna.
Square Boulders
In this garden space by Art Home Garden, a low wall of square boulders sets a gravel lawn apart from a green knoll. Shocks of ornamental grass and window boxes add an organic contrast.
Raw-edged Flagstones
Raw-edged flagstones are placed atop a bed of gravel leading to a spare hillside retreat by Art Home Garden.
Stone Pillars
Two large stone pillars with raw edges work as an inviting entryway in this garden by Gregory Lombardi Designs.
Lush Greenery
Many rock garden plants, like the ones shown here in this space by Art Home Garden, are notably tolerant of dry conditions, making them ideal for draught-prone zones (or forgetful gardeners).
Wildflower Beds
A rather composed rock garden by Gregory Lombardi Design; stonework paths and pond create a structure for wildflower beds.
Ornamental Stone Sculptures
Ornamental stone sculptures—like these in a space by Susanne Hollis, Inc.—are a cheeky accent in sometimes-formal rock gardens.
Meditation Garden
A streamlined meditation garden by Haver & Skolnick Architects features stone columns, a raked stone yard, and a mason watermill foundation.
Meditation Garden
An alternate peak at the Haver & Skolnick Architects meditation garden.
Wooden Stools
In this stone patio by Keir Townsend Ltd., wooden stools parade as stacked river stones.
Stone Stairs & Lichens
In this work by Staprans Design, stone stairs become part of the natural habitat, thanks to a variety of native lichens.
English-Inspired
BDG&C Custom Homes was responsible for this English-style rock garden, which featured a brick inlay clover and an antique lion's head fountain complete with a natural patina.
Stone Sphere & Hosta
A polished stone sphere nestle beside majestic hosta in a rock garden by Bellwether Landscape Architects.
Stepping Stone Path
A rock garden is ideal for rooftop decks, thanks to minimal maintenance and savvy use of limited space. This one with the stepping stone path is by Alan Design Studio.
River Rock
In this urban light well rock garden by Verner Architects, beds of smoothed river rock are bisected by parallel lines of arid greenery. An architectural water feature acts as a minimalist focal point.
Ferns, Moss, and Foxglove
In this show-stopping San Francisco garden by Jennifer Tulley Architects, granite steps lead to a hillside rock garden, which serves as a welcome home to ferns, moss, and stately foxglove.
Pebble-Stone Paths
Pebble-stone paths are the star in a walled courtyard garden with boxwood and fig vine by Howard Design Studio.
Boxwood & Natchez Crape Myrtles
An expansive formal rock garden by Howard Design Studio featuring boxwood and Natchez crape myrtles.
Kyoto Rock Garden
In a small rock garden in Kyoto, all traditional elements—an arranged meditation nook with rocks, water features, sand, moss, trees and bushes—are represented on a miniature scale.
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