Magnify your yard with a rock garden

A rock garden can bring a natural, rugged beauty to any yard, big or small including those with steep hillsides because it's not only a feat of grandeur but also a park-like oasis of inspiration in a home.

It brings the feel of worlds away from the everyday.

According to Catherine Nakamya, a landscaper, a rock garden is the best design resource for natural and dimensional stone products that trend lovers should embrace in their homes.

"Unlike the ordinary flower gardens, the rock garden is designed with different kinds of stones coupled with art pieces to create beautiful scenery in the compound," explains Nakate.

However, it's only designed in the middle of the compound or at the corners to pull the uniqueness and beauty.

Nkata setting a rock garden.

 
How to create a rock garden

Nakate says, the place where one is going to set the rock garden has to be prepared by digging two inches.

"Lay a black polythene on the base of the foundation with pierced small holes to allow water to sink in the soil. The polythene deters the plants from accessing good soils because they have to grow with the help of water and rocks to maintain the theme. The electrician starts the wiring with the guidance of the landscaper on where to place the lights in case they are part of the accessories," Nakate explains.

The focal point from which the theme of the garden flows is created with either a small fountain, sculptures, pots or any art piece one one's choice. Put lake sand with big particles and plant the mountain flowers that  are resistant to droughts and  strong winds.

"To create a picture-perfect scene, scatter flowers like cactus, spider grass both tall and short. Then start playing around with different kinds of sea stones while employing artistic designs. You can even choose to paint the stones," Nakate asserts.

For the boundary, one can use bamboo sticks to bring the African feel and post-modern style.

Maintenance

Ivan Nkata, an Interior designer says the rock garden plants should not be watered every day because they need to grow at a slow rate. "Unlike the ordinary gardens where tools like hoes are used, in this garden, one has to use hands to weed in order to avoid damaging the fragile plants," he adds.

It pulls beauty when at the corner.

 
Bamboo sticks have to constantly be repainted with Sinnamon paint or weather guard lest they fade and loose beauty.

The budget

2 sacks of grey sea stones- sh40,000

1 sack of snow white stones-sh140, 000

5 wheelbarrows of Lake sand-sh50,000

Small fountain with motor -sh700, 000

Small sculpture-sh250, 000

Plants-sh100, 000

Black polythene-sh5,000

For labour, Nakate says that she charges 40% of the total cost of materials.