Rocks and gravel and foliage

[bludger]

Hi,

My wife has suggested that we make a rock and gravel bed, interspersed with small shrubs and perennials. We do have an ideal site for this and we have the largish rocks needed.

What sort of gravel would look good? Will a heavy permeable membrane be needed on top of the soil? Should the large rocks be placed on the soil or on the membrane like the gravel?

How should the soil below be prepared? Should the rocks be near enough to step across or could I, a very heavy man, be able to step on the gravel without damage? Will the gravel need much maintenance?

Perhaps the most important thing is to make the feature attractive. Will this be more down to the plants or a combination of both? Any ideas on plants?

I'd dearly like some advice on this, please.

 

[Muzz]

I've moved into a house which has a large rock/gravel/shrub thing in it and in my opinion looks just like a large pile of rock/gravel/shrubs!

It's a mix of granite rocks and blocks (from an old cottage that used to be nearby) and grey granite gravel.

I think it looks terrible! it might have looked better if it was on the flat, but because it's a mound, the gravel slips of the membrane in places and generally looks like they've just attempted to hide a pile of earth.

doesn't really answer your question, but is more of a warning that doing this on a slope can look terrible.

 

[HERTS P&D]

Don't forget cats like gravel.

Andy