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Rockery (Rock Garden)


Rockery (Rock Garden)


Introduction

A rockery, also known as a rock garden, is a special type of garden feature where rocks and stones are arranged artistically along with suitable plants to imitate natural rocky landscapes such as hillsides, mountain slopes, and alpine regions. Rockeries combine aesthetic beauty with botanical interest and are commonly used in parks, botanical gardens, home gardens, and educational institutions.

Definition

A rockery is a garden arrangement in which rocks of different sizes are placed in a natural manner and planted with rock-loving, dwarf, alpine, and ground-cover plants to create a scenic and natural appearance.

Objectives of Rockery

The main objectives of establishing a rockery include:
To create a naturalistic landscape effect
To display alpine and dwarf plants
To utilize uneven or sloping land
To provide good drainage conditions for special plants
To enhance ornamental value of gardens.

Site Selection

Proper site selection is essential for a successful rockery. The site should preferably be:
On a gentle slope or uneven ground
Well-drained and not waterlogged
Open to sunlight, though partial shade may be useful for shade-loving plants
Protected from strong winds
Easily visible for aesthetic appreciation.

Types of Rockery

Rockeries are classified based on design and terrain.

Slope rockery is constructed on natural slopes and appears most natural
Terraced rockery consists of step-like arrangements supported by rocks. 
Flat rockery is developed on level ground by artificially creating raised rock formations. Wall rockery uses vertical or near-vertical stone arrangements, often along retaining walls.

Principles of Rockery Construction

Certain principles must be followed for natural appearance and durability. Rocks should be:
Placed in a natural position, partially buried in soil
Arranged with larger stones at the base and smaller ones above
Positioned to follow one natural rock line
Firmly fixed to prevent movement
Straight lines, symmetry, and artificial patterns should be avoided.
Preparation of Base and Drainage
Good drainage is essential in rockery construction. The area is excavated and a base layer of broken bricks, gravel, or coarse stones is laid. Above this, a mixture of garden soil, sand, and leaf mould is added. This ensures free drainage and prevents root rot in plants.

Soil Mixture

The soil mixture used in rockery should be:
Loose and well-drained
Moderately fertile
Rich in organic matter
A mixture of garden loam, sand, and compost is commonly used. For alpine plants, soil should be slightly acidic to neutral.
Selection of Rocks
The choice of rocks affects the appearance and longevity of the rockery.
Rocks should be hard and weather-resistant
Locally available stones are preferred
Sandstone, limestone, and granite are commonly used
Uniform type of rock should be used for natural effect
Selection of Plants
Plants used in rockery should be:
Dwarf or low-growing
Hardy and slow-growing
Able to thrive in well-drained soil
Common rockery plants include alpine plants, succulents, ground covers, ferns, mosses, and small flowering plants.

Examples include sedum, saxifraga, alyssum, portulaca, phlox, verbena, coleus, and ornamental grasses.

Planting in Rockery
Planting is done in crevices between rocks. Plants are placed firmly with roots well spread. Mulching with small stones or gravel helps conserve moisture and improve appearance.
Maintenance of Rockery
Maintenance practices include:
Regular but light watering
Removal of weeds
Pruning and trimming of plants
Replacement of damaged or dead plants
Occasional soil enrichment
Overwatering should be avoided.

Advantages of Rockery
Rockeries offer several benefits:

Enhance landscape beauty
Provide suitable conditions for alpine plants
Require less water than lawns
Useful in uneven or rocky land
Educational value in botanical gardens

Limitations of Rockery

Initial construction is labour-intensive
Requires careful planning and design
Improper drainage may cause plant failure
Conclusion
A rockery is an important landscape feature that blends rocks and plants to create a natural scenic effect. Proper site selection, correct rock placement, suitable soil mixture, and appropriate plant choice are essential for a successful rock garden. When well designed and maintained, a rockery becomes a long-lasting and attractive element of garden design.



MCQs on Rockery (50 Questions)
A rockery is also known as
A. Water garden
B. Terrace garden
C. Rock garden
D. Sunken garden
Answer: C
The main purpose of a rockery is to imitate
A. Desert landscape
B. Forest ecosystem
C. Natural rocky landscape
D. Grassland
Answer: C
Rockeries are best suited for growing
A. Tall trees
B. Aquatic plants
C. Alpine and dwarf plants
D. Climbers
Answer: C
The most important requirement for a rockery is
A. Shade
B. Drainage
C. Fertility
D. Humidity
Answer: B
Which type of land is ideal for a rockery?
A. Marshy land
B. Sloping or uneven land
C. Flooded land
D. Clayey land
Answer: B
Which rock is commonly used in rockery construction?
A. Chalk
B. Granite
C. Coal
D. Marble powder
Answer: B
Rocks in a rockery should be placed
A. Symmetrically
B. Randomly without fixing
C. Naturally and firmly
D. Vertically only
Answer: C
The largest stones in a rockery should be placed
A. At the top
B. In the middle
C. At the base
D. Anywhere
Answer: C
Which soil property is essential for rockery plants?
A. Heavy clay
B. Poor drainage
C. Well-drained soil
D. Waterlogged soil
Answer: C
Rockeries are commonly seen in
A. Crop fields
B. Parks and gardens
C. Rice fields
D. Greenhouses only
Answer: B
Which of the following plants is suitable for a rockery?
A. Mango
B. Sedum
C. Coconut
D. Banyan
Answer: B
A rockery constructed on a natural slope is called
A. Flat rockery
B. Wall rockery
C. Slope rockery
D. Formal rockery
Answer: C
Which type of rockery is built on level ground?
A. Slope rockery
B. Flat rockery
C. Wall rockery
D. Alpine rockery
Answer: B
Terrace rockery consists of
A. Water channels
B. Step-like arrangement
C. Hanging baskets
D. Lawns
Answer: B
Vertical stone arrangements are seen in
A. Flat rockery
B. Slope rockery
C. Wall rockery
D. Desert garden
Answer: C
Which material is used at the base for drainage?
A. Clay
B. Broken bricks and gravel
C. Compost only
D. Manure
Answer: B
The best time for planting in rockery is
A. Midday
B. Rainy season
C. Early morning or evening
D. Midnight
Answer: C
Overwatering in rockery leads to
A. Better growth
B. Root rot
C. Increased flowering
D. Rock stability
Answer: B
Which of the following is avoided in rockery design?
A. Natural look
B. Straight lines
C. Drainage
D. Dwarf plants
Answer: B
Uniform type of rock is preferred to
A. Reduce cost
B. Improve drainage
C. Create natural appearance
D. Increase height
Answer: C
Rockery plants are generally
A. Fast growing
B. Tall
C. Slow growing
D. Aquatic
Answer: C
Which of the following is a ground cover plant for rockery?
A. Phlox
B. Wheat
C. Rice
D. Maize
Answer: A
The soil mixture for rockery should be
A. Heavy and compact
B. Sandy only
C. Loose and porous
D. Sticky
Answer: C
Rockery helps in utilizing
A. Fertile plains
B. Uneven land
C. Paddy fields
D. Wetlands
Answer: B
Which factor mainly determines plant selection in rockery?
A. Flower colour
B. Soil pH and drainage
C. Market value
D. Seed size
Answer: B
Rockery requires
A. Daily flooding
B. Minimal maintenance
C. Frequent ploughing
D. High fertilizer dose
Answer: B
Mulching in rockery is done using
A. Plastic sheets
B. Mud
C. Small stones or gravel
D. Water
Answer: C
Which of the following improves rockery appearance?
A. Large trees
B. Gravel mulch
C. Cement
D. Standing water
Answer: B
Rockery is mainly an example of
A. Crop production
B. Landscape gardening
C. Forestry
D. Agriculture
Answer: B
Which plant group is commonly used in rockery?
A. Climbers
B. Alpines
C. Aquatic plants
D. Tall shrubs
Answer: B
The main problem in poorly designed rockery is
A. Weed growth
B. Water stagnation
C. Excess sunlight
D. Wind
Answer: B
Which of the following is an advantage of rockery?
A. Requires large water supply
B. High fertilizer use
C. Low water requirement
D. Needs frequent mowing
Answer: C
Rockery plants are usually planted
A. In rows
B. In pots
C. In crevices between rocks
D. In water
Answer: C
Limestone rocks are used in rockery mainly for
A. Colour
B. Weight
C. Suitability for alpine plants
D. Water retention
Answer: C
Which of the following is unsuitable for rockery?
A. Succulents
B. Ferns
C. Tall trees
D. Dwarf flowering plants
Answer: C
Rockery construction should avoid
A. Natural slope
B. Drainage layer
C. Artificial symmetry
D. Organic matter
Answer: C
Which garden feature combines stones and plants?
A. Lawn
B. Hedge
C. Rockery
D. Topiary
Answer: C
Rockery plants prefer
A. Waterlogged soil
B. Shallow soil with drainage
C. Deep clay soil
D. Marshy soil
Answer: B
Which climate is most suitable for alpine rockery plants?
A. Tropical humid
B. Hot desert
C. Cool and temperate
D. Coastal saline
Answer: C
Rockery helps in conservation of
A. Water
B. Soil nutrients
C. Wildlife
D. Crops
Answer: A
Which of the following gives a natural look to rockery?
A. Cemented stones
B. Random rock placement
C. Painted stones
D. Plastic stones
Answer: B
A well-designed rockery should appear
A. Artificial
B. Formal
C. Natural
D. Symmetrical
Answer: C
Rockery plants usually have
A. Deep roots
B. Fibrous roots
C. Shallow root system
D. Aerial roots
Answer: C
Which of the following is a flowering rockery plant?
A. Portulaca
B. Rice
C. Sugarcane
D. Banana
Answer: A
Rockery is commonly established in
A. Agricultural fields
B. Botanical gardens
C. Fish ponds
D. Crop nurseries only
Answer: B
Which practice maintains rockery health?
A. Flood irrigation
B. Regular weeding
C. Heavy fertilization
D. Deep ploughing
Answer: B
Rockery plants generally require
A. High nitrogen
B. Moderate nutrients
C. No soil
D. Constant flooding
Answer: B
One limitation of rockery is
A. High water use
B. Labour-intensive construction
C. Excess shade
D. Poor appearance
Answer: B
Rockery is best described as
A. Flower bed
B. Lawn
C. Artistic stone and plant arrangement
D. Crop field
Answer: C
The success of a rockery mainly depends on
A. Size of rocks
B. Drainage and plant selection
C. Cost of stones
D. Number of plants
Answer: B

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