Better Living Blog

 It is quite possible to buy all the plants one is likely to require for the making of a rock garden, small or large. With the rapidly increasing number of concerns who sell rock plants and the ever improving lists of varieties available, it is no longer necessary to grow one’s own plants.

Not so many years ago growing from seed was the only way to try most of the wonderful things described in English catalogs and books on rock gardening and garden fountainsthen the only ones available on this subject.

But though the necessity may be less, the fun which the rock gardener may get in growing at least some of his own plants is as great as ever. There is fascinating work in connection with any kind of gardening, but in rock gardening most of all.

Quite aside from the enjoyment to be derived, there are several practical advantages. Growing one’s own plants affords an economical way of increasing the stocks, even if the varieties already on hand are to be used. It makes possible experimenting with many new or rare varieties not otherwise readily obtainablethe entire world, in fact, becomes your pasturage for new plants of beauty or of interest for the rock garden and to accompany outdoor fountains.

Then there is the further advantagewhich has always seemed to be the most importantthat in the more intimate contact necessary with the plants, in propagating them yourself, you come to know their requirements and preferences, their little peccadilloes and idiosyncrasies, much more thoroughlyand sympathetically.

Most beginners at rock gardening have already had at least some experience with other plants, and with gardening in general. They can, therefore, look forward with the assurance of success to the propagating of a great many of their rock plants if they care to undertake this work. The methods of propagation are, in general, similar to those employed for perennials, i.e., by seeds, by division, by layering, and by cuttings.

But a word concerning each of these, as they apply particularly to rock garden plants, may be of some service.

Of the four methods of propagation mentioned, growing from seed is perhaps the most useful, and certainly the most exciting, as each trial with a plant that has not been grown before is a new adventure into a land of mystery, in search of unknown beauty.

For what treasures may these little paper packets, come, perhaps, from across oceans and far-away continents, with their magic contents, bring to you:fairy flowers from the mountains of the world, which neither you nor your friends have ever seen before.

If you are going to try growing seed at all, make up your mind in advance to one thingthat you will make a success of it! To that end, leave no stone or necessary forkful of soil, unturned. Do not hesitate to begin the endeavor of adorning your patio fountains with these delightful seedlings.

The sowing of seed in the open is often suggested; and the readiness with which many of the rock plants seed themselves is cited as evidence to the fact that they may easily be so grown.

Lay not that flattering unction to your soul! Give the seed which you are going to plant every possible chance for making good. That means providing them, if you do not happen to possess a greenhouse, at least with the protection of some sort of frame.

A frame is not needed for protection from the cold, as most of these plants are among the hardiest of the hardy. But in nature, they do not have to contend with dogs, cats, moles, mice, inquisitive children, careless workmen, and a hundred other dangers which civilization brings to them.
Moreover, a frame affords protection from beating rains or pelting thunderstorms, drying winds and broiling sun, which frequently work havoc, if not destruction, with the tiny seedlings. Why take chances with any of thesewhen the simplest sort of a frame, which need not necessarily have even a glass sash, will provide insurance against them?

Tags: outdoor fountains | outdoor fountains | garden fountains | garden fountains | patio fountains | patio fountains

del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit

This entry was posted on Friday, October 3rd, 2008 at 12:52 pm and is filed under Lawns. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.