How to build a rockery beside driveway?

Question

Hi all  :)  we are making a rockery and planning to plant pigface and boobialla and I dont know what else yet. Just wondering if anyone has suggestions of how to arrange these rocks please? Other plant suggestions welcome too. Thanks.

JacobZ · Accepted Answer

Hi @Katkatkat ,

For a natural-looking rockery, I’d avoid spacing the rocks evenly. Try grouping them in clusters of two or three, partially burying the larger rocks and positioning them at slightly different angles. Place the biggest rocks first, then use smaller ones to fill gaps and create pockets for planting. It can also help to step back regularly and view the layout from several angles before settling on the final positions.

Pigface and boobialla are great choices. You could also consider native violet, creeping thyme, dichondra, dwarf lomandra or small native grasses to add different heights and textures. Just make sure the plants you choose suit the amount of sun and drainage in the area.

Allow me to tag some helpful members to see if they have any advice - @Dave-1, @mich1972, @TedBear, @maisonseigneur.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

Dave-1 · Accepted Answer

Good Afternoon @Katkatkat

New area to play with :) Scrolling back and fourth through your pics I was sifting through what could be. So a few suggestions that came to mind.

* Sketch out that area, rearrange the rocks into piles or high points down to low points.
* include a water dish, shallow for birds and lizards. (place a stone in it so they can bask and get in and out.
* remove the grass nd soil by 50mm (includes grass) and lay out weedmat and then put a base of fine gravel down buy 50mm to help stop weeds, cardboard work but works for say 6 months.
* Had a thought of edging a garden bed with your rocks set in concrete instead, realised you want a rockery but thought id mention the idea.
* Some sort of lowish shrub (1.5m) for birds to jump to after splashing in bird dish.
* make sure you allow drain through as it will be on a slope towards the front and the through fare on the left. Gravel base will help with this.
* Low voltage lighting/solar lights under the edge of rocks. Will give a nice warmth after the sun goes down.

Dave

maisonseigneur · Accepted Answer

Hi @Katkatkat I love the idea of a Rockery so much and it is really inspiring me for our garden projects :)

I would definitely start looking around and researching ideas and visuals that have been done before - I had never heard of this word until today!

Then i like to look through pinterest too and create a board to bring even more idea that match a style I like - you might want something more modern or more coastal, etc, I personally am aiming for a European feel

It will be easier after a quick search to organise for what you aim to create - I also get renders in chtgpt which help so much visualise ! I would definitely look at also clustering the different heights and shapes of herbs and plants in group of 3 or 5 and organise them to create different volumes, textures and colours that match together/with the stones!

I have been selecting personally lavender, rosemary, dwarf herbs, for an upcoming project, here is some pictures I found that might help?