Plants suitable for Wellington rock gardens - with reference to environmental conditions at Wellington Botanic Gardens: Thesis for National Diploma of Horticulture

Abstract

The term "rock garden" evokes in the mind of gardeners everywhere a concept usually unique to the individual. To the 'alpine' enthusiast a mental picture of sloping screes and boulder strewn plateaux may be conjured, whereas the maintenance conscious home gardener would probably dwell on scenes of sculptured scoria-covered borders, punctuated by selected rocks and plants. These examples are used to give a very brief idea of the diversity of concepts and design functions to which the term "rock garden" can be applied. In the following chapters the intention is to give an idea of the range of plant species suitable for rock gardens in the Wellington City area and to discuss the majority of rock garden 11 types 11 and environments within this range of plants. It is, however, not the intention of this work to comment upon suitable plant material for areas which were never conceived as rock gardens such as, retaining walls and batter slopes; these areas often being embraced as rock gardens after the cosmetic application of stone chips and scattered rocks in later years. The intention is to deal primarily with areas conceived as rock gardens by persons intent on creating such.