Q: I have a front yard rockery that was entirely covered in juniper and heathers and is at the bottom of a slope. I removed all the plants because I wanted to start over and create a beautiful flower and succulent rockery garden in its place. Should I be concerned about the stability of the rocks now? Do I need to replace the junipers with some kind of plant that will help with soil erosion and rockery stability?
— Laura Vanderpool
— West Seattle, Wash.
A: John Vittum, a landscape architect in Bath Township, said ideally the rocks should be repositioned so they’re more stable. He suggested starting over from the base of the slope and partially burying the first course of stones in a trench, and then placing the other rocks above them at an angle so they rest against the slope. Backfill with soil.
If you don’t want to move the rocks, he suggested planting the rockery with shrubs such as Gro-Low sumac, Blue Rug juniper, Japanese Garden juniper or a low-growing variety of cotoneaster. Or you could plant spreading perennials such as myrtle, ajuga, sedum, candytuft or a perennial geranium.
Have a question about home maintenance, decorating or gardening? Akron Beacon Journal home writer Mary Beth Breckenridge will find answers for the queries that are chosen to appear in the paper. To submit a question, call her at 330-996-3756, or send email to mbrecken@thebeaconjournal.com. Be sure to include your full name, your town and your phone number or email address.
