What Rocks Your Garden

Stone and large boulders can add a certain harmony and natural flow to a garden. It is an organic element, so one should be careful when plopping something so natural and beautiful as rock in random spots.

These organic features should be used tastefully so as to blend into the surrounding landscape; not stick out and appear unnatural. Abstract compositions can be created with stone, appearing as a contrasting sculptural element but it is part of the overall design.

Today's point is an obvious oops that is seen too often during the course of construction. A large boulder was found during excavating and rather than really think it through, this enormous mass of rock was placed smack-dab in the midst of the lawn. What sense does it make in relation to the rest of the property other than there was no other place to dispose of it? You may as well carve that one out in stone – “This rock couldn’t find a home other than here.” Yes, it’s that obvious. A little earth work and shaping can make all the difference in a large boulder appearing in harmony with the landscape versus looking out of place and out of scale.

So what rocks in your garden? If you plan on working with stone, think organic. In the spirit of midsummer celebrations, a William Shakespeare quote seems appropriate. “God has given you one face, and you make yourself another.” Stone is meant to have one face – natural and beautiful. Don’t muck with it.

Image of boulder from the Internet

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