Question: What about soil and sun requirements for my rock garden plants?
Answer: The rocks form the foundation of a rock garden. But you should prepare the soil before planting the plants, while also keeping in mind the sun requirements of projected plant selections.
As in arranging the rocks in your rock garden, take your cue from nature. In nature, plants that grow amongst the rocks like well-drained soil. As a general rule, then, you would want to mix sand into the soil that you'll be using for planting. But it's best to know the particular requirements of the plants that you'll be selecting, and to base your soil preparation on that.
Knowing your plants' particular requirements is even more important in preparing your soil to have the proper pH level. Learn ahead of time, while in the process of selecting plants, whether an individual plant choice prefers acidic or alkaline soil, and prepare the soil accordingly. Don't mix low-pH plants (i.e., acid-lovers) with high-pH plants (i.e., alkalinity-lovers).
Finally, whether your rock garden is in a sunny or shady location will have a great influence on the plants you select for planting. Again: know the requirements of your plants, and keep plants with like requirements together, including watering requirements.
As in arranging the rocks in your rock garden, take your cue from nature. In nature, plants that grow amongst the rocks like well-drained soil. As a general rule, then, you would want to mix sand into the soil that you'll be using for planting. But it's best to know the particular requirements of the plants that you'll be selecting, and to base your soil preparation on that.
Knowing your plants' particular requirements is even more important in preparing your soil to have the proper pH level. Learn ahead of time, while in the process of selecting plants, whether an individual plant choice prefers acidic or alkaline soil, and prepare the soil accordingly. Don't mix low-pH plants (i.e., acid-lovers) with high-pH plants (i.e., alkalinity-lovers).
Finally, whether your rock garden is in a sunny or shady location will have a great influence on the plants you select for planting. Again: know the requirements of your plants, and keep plants with like requirements together, including watering requirements.
