
When I say rocks in the garden, I mean large rocks….boulders to be exact.

Boulders enhance the beauty of the plants surrounding them.

I love how they look as they gradually become surrounded by a flowering groundcover such as Lantana or Verbena.

Succulents such as Agave always look great when placed next to a boulder.

Boulders are strategically placed in this newly planted landscape. Note the agave and Angelita Daisy planted by the two large boulders.
Boulders actually look great when placed together and I often place them together when designing a landscape.

I visited this landscape installation with a friend of mine that was in progress a few years ago. I really like how the designer placed boulders around and in the swimming pool.

Some useful to keep in mind when using boulders in your landscape:
– Bury them so that the bottom third is in the ground. This helps to make their placement appear more natural. DO NOT just place a boulder on top of the soil and leave it.
– For larger plants such as shrubs or trees, be sure to select larger boulders – 2′ x 3′ x3′ at the very least. If you- Don’t worry if the boulders look too large at first before you install them. I remember receiving a call from my mother-in-law the day the boulders were delivered for the landscape that I had designed for them. She said that they were way too large. But, you need to take into account that you will be burying 1/3 of the total height of the boulder and they will look just the right size once in the ground.
– Boulders look great when incorporated in mounding (contouring). I usually place the boulder just inside of the edge of a mound, making sure that you fill in the area around it.
– Boulders can also be placed in brick or concrete boulders, which adds interest.
– You can select your own boulders, which I recommend before buying. Don’t be tempted to purchase smaller boulders…they can get lost in the landscape.
– Don’t worry if the boulders look too large at first before you install them. I remember receiving a call from my mother-in-law the day the boulders were delivered for the landscape that I had designed for them. She said that they were way too large. But, you need to take into account that you will be burying 1/3 of the total height of the boulder and they will look just the right size once in the ground.

I love the boulders in this newly installed landscape. There is a variety of shapes and sizes that add texture. The plants are quite small in comparison, but they will grow larger.
If you are going to include boulders in your landscape, please plant something next to them. Plants make the boulders look great and vice-versa. Some of my favorite plants to include next to boulders include:
Penstemon
Lantana
Angelita Daisy
Blackfoot Daisy
Gaura
Salvia species
Dalea species
Agave
Dasylirion species
Barrel Cactus
Mammillaria species
Lastly, boulders look wonderful in the landscape and guess what my favorite part is? They don’t need any pruning or water to look great…the ultimate in having a beautiful low-maintenance garden.
