Crevice Gardening ......in defence of rock.....

[Jupiter]

I've been working on a new extension to my rock garden, a little grotto of sorts for plants which require a bit of protection from the hot afternoon sun. A step became a seat,  a place to sit and enjoy the garden. By chance this flat topped rock which forms a pillar on the outside of my seat makes an excellent table for a cup of tea or coffee! Not that I have time to sit and drink tea while in the garden. Too much to do! But one can dream can't one?

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Great feature, James !!  I like it !!

[Chris Johnson]

Nice stone and stonework, Jamus.

[Maggi Young]

Nice stone and stonework, Jamus.

Just what I was thinking, too. I like a nice rock.

[Jupiter]

Here's another view, it'll look better once all the plants grow.

[Maggi Young]

Excellent work, Jamus - a good crevice garden should look as good empty as it does when fully planted and "furnished" with plants!


I'm always surprised when people say they "loathe" vertical crevice gardens or that such rock work is "not natural" - I guess those folks haven't seen this sort of thing :

[Jupiter]

In a country as ancient as Australia we are quite used to seeing exposed rock tilted and folded and lifted into all kinds of angles and configurations. Nothing would surprise me. The adelaide hills where I live is what's left of a very ancient range.

[Lori S.]

Here's another view, it'll look better once all the plants grow.

Wow!    Looks fabulous right now!

[johnralphcarpenter]

A good start Ralph, I'll be interested to watch the progress.

Now ready for some plants.

[David Nicholson]

I'm always surprised when people say they "loathe" vertical crevice gardens or that such rock work is "not natural" - I guess those folks haven't seen this sort of thing :

....... or the limestone pavement on top of Malham Cove back in God's own acres:-

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=pavement+on+top+of+malham+cove&rlz=1T4GGNI_enGB505GB505&tbm=isch&imgil=ddY0BDo98F6KsM%253A%253BWajhL8fP3TWjfM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.yorkshirewalks.org%25252Fdiary08%25252Fdiary259.html&source=iu&pf=m&fir=ddY0BDo98F6KsM%253A%252CWajhL8fP3TWjfM%252C_&biw=1536&bih=721&usg=__dTHU5EtFyboYB2po3lFC4JBNeaY%3D&ved=0CCsQyjc&ei=RQeLVd_DBuSz7gaYuoOwCg#imgrc=ddY0BDo98F6KsM%253A%3BWajhL8fP3TWjfM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.yorkshirewalks.org%252Fdiary08%252Fmalham1%252Fc3909a.JPG%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.yorkshirewalks.org%252Fdiary08%252Fdiary259.html%3B750%3B351&usg=__dTHU5EtFyboYB2po3lFC4JBNeaY%3D

[Maggi Young]

Quite so, David, doesn't get much more natural than that.

[Jupiter]

I have a ton of seedlings raised from seedex seed growing nicely and I'm wondering if people can discuss the best stage of growth for planting out into the rock garden. These are destined for my crevice bed; the question is, is it better to let them grow on into strong little plants in the tubes or carefully nestle them into their ultimate home and let the establishment happen in situ? I imagine there will be advocates for both options...

Below are pictures taken today of Penstemon virens, Penstemon hallii and Erigeron compactus as examples.

[Lori S.]

Your examples, penstemons and erigerons, are both very tough customers that do well in the conditions here, so I'd have no qualms about planting them out at an early stage (as I do with everything, though, successfully or not.  ). 

[Jupiter]

Thanks Lori. I have enough to try it with plenty of backups in tubes, so nothing to lose really.

[Robert]

Jamus,

I took a look at your rock work. It looks fantastic!

Be very careful with Astragalus. I keep thinking they are going to take hold and then they give up. I am going to experiment with direct seeding in the crevices. Many Astragalus seem the prefect plant for our climatic conditions. So far, for me, it is getting them established that is the main road-block to my success with them. Maybe you, or someone else, has the secret to their successful establishment in the garden?