Are you looking for a contractor?

Submit our quick form and get quotes now!

Table of Contents

How to Arrange a Rock Garden

How to Arrange a Rock Garden

Exterior renovationsHow to Arrange a Rock Garden

Plenty of visual interest can be created to spruce up the exterior part of a home. In fact, many homeowners place great attention to detail in curb appeal. This includes facade features, maintenance as well as landscaping.

If you’re lucky to have a front or back yard with lots of space, you may be thinking about different features to incorporate. Have you ever thought about the beauty of a rock garden? This eclectic and low-maintenance addition is an excellent option for any home, regardless of taste and style.

Wanting to include a rock garden on your front or back lawn is one thing, but how can you arrange it so it’s contained, appealing and works with your landscape? We’re here to offer some guidance and inspiration for those interested by the realization of this type of project.

Here’s how to build a rock garden

The positives of a rock garden

rock garden_How to Arrange a Rock Garden_RenoQuotessource: pexels

Rocks may have the reputation of being dull and lifeless, unable to add colour or excitement to a landscape. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, a rock garden can do a lot in terms of the visual contrast of a lawn, breaking up and highlighting other natural features such as flowerbeds, plants, and trees. Rocks offer a sense of rhythm and form that flowers and greenery don’t possess.

If you’re living in a place that experiences all four seasons, a garden of this type can provide year-round interest on an otherwise snowy plane. If erosion is a problem on your lawn, this feature can also provide a way to stabilize the soil. Another scenario is that if you’re already dealing with less-than-desirable rocky landscape, framing a rock garden to include or highlight this can be a glowing advantage.

Steps to create a rock garden

1- Gather equipment

No matter the size of the garden you plan to create, here’s what you’ll need to complete this project:

  • trowel ;

  • wheelbarrow ;

  • shovel ;

  • stones, soil and plants of choice.

2- Choose a site and garden elements

Carefully considering the location of your garden is important. This is definitely a landscaping feature that you won’t want to move after it’s in place. Since it’s such a permanent fixture, consider where it would best be situated. 

The elements you plan to incorporate into your garden will have a lot to do with where you end up putting it. Remember, if you’d like to include a water element such as a small fountain or flowing pool, you will need to access electricity. If you’re bringing large rocks onto your site, think about how you can get them in place, such as asking for or hiring assistance. Lastly, we’d suggest you consider the amount of shade your rocks will generate, as this will determine what plant life can live alongside them. 

3- Source your rocks

rock garden installing_How to Arrange a Rock Garden_RenoQuotessource: unsplash

The source of your rocks will depend on a number of factors. These include where you’re living and what types you’d like to work with. Since it’s difficult to envision everything before you’ve seen the rocks themselves, we’d suggest choosing what you’d like to include in the initial stages of this project.

As mentioned, depending on where you live, you’ll have different types of rocks available to you. Not only this, but certain types will be better for certain climates, landscapes and designs. Do you want to work with long, flat rocks? Big boulders? Smooth stones? All of the above? Do some research to better determine the types that are native to your area. 

Of course, even if you choose the specific type of rocks you’d like to work with, the ones you end up using will still vary in shape and size. With this in mind, we’d suggest sketching out the arrangement of how you plan to place your rocks. This will be helpful when they do arrive, as you can place them as close as possible to what you’ve drawn. 

4- Choose compatible plants

You may not want to work with plants at all, as this could be the reason why you’ve chosen to build a rock garden in the first place. However, accessorizing with greenery and flowers will offer another element of visual interest that could work to further brighten your lawn. Again, the ones you choose to work with will depend on the amount of light available between rocks as well as plants that are native to your region. Here are some options you may consider:

  • bluebell;

  • periwinkle;

  • bleeding hearts;

  • prickly pear cactus;

  • creeping phlox;

  • sedum;

  • rockcress;

  • cranesbill.

5- Build your garden

rockgarden with plants_How to Arrange a Rock Garden_RenoQuotessource: pexels

Before putting down a single rock, map and choose the area you’re going to work within. Clear it of all weeds and debris. If you’re working with a large, or several large, rocks, you’ll want to dig a depression for these to sit.

For stability, experts recommend that a third of the rock is buried. Dig and position larger rocks at the start, filling in with dirt to keep them in place. Following this, you can begin to arrange smaller rocks and other plants you’re including. Remember to leave some extra room and soil for plants that will sit in spaces between them.

Want to get an overview of the cost of your landscaping project? Check out our article Landscaping : the Costs of Various Projects for 2020.

Get 3 renovation quotes for your rock garden project

RenoQuotes.com can help you get quotes for your rock garden project. If you submit your project to us, we’ll put you in contact with top-rated contractors. Fill in the form on the homepage (it only takes a few minutes), and you will get estimates from trusted professionals. 

Dial 1-844 828-1588 to speak with one of our customer service representatives.

Get 3 free quotes for your project!

Submit a project and get 3 free quotes!


Last modified 2023-11-07

List of sources


Get 3 free quotes for your project!

Submit a project and get 3 free quotes!

Looking for something else?


Table of contents


Get 3 free quotes for your project!

Submit a project and get 3 free quotes!

Are you a contractor?

Join our network and receive real leads!

Download the price guide for renovations

We’ll be emailing you the latest market price guide for renovations.



Related articles

The latest industry news, interviews, technologies, and resources.

3 min read

RenoQuotes.com • 07 Nov 2023

The Cost of a Brand New Fence

How much does a new fence cost? From ornamental fences to wooden fences, RenoQuotes.com has prepared a practical guide which covers the average prices and characteristics of different types of fences.

6 min read

RenoQuotes.com • 07 Nov 2023

5 Landscaping Trends for 2023

Is your landscaping looking especially tired? If so, chances are you'll want to spruce it up to revamp your outdoor space and be able to fully enjoy the upcoming summer months. If you're looking to keep up with landscaping trends, know that rugged, countryside looks that suggest comfort and incorporate eco-friendly concepts are all the rage in 2023!

8 min read

Christime Simard • 07 Nov 2023

Reno inspiration: 10 examples of bathroom sinks

Gone are the days when the simple white sink dominated the bathroom design scene. Nowadays, in addition to this more classic, but timeless model, there are also sinks of all shapes, with colours and finishes to suit all preferences.

7 min read

RenoQuotes.com • 07 Nov 2023

Bigenerational Home: 7 Must-Know Facts Prior to Undertaking Such a Project

Are you hoping to build a bigenerational home to take care of your elderly parents? Albeit it’s only logical to believe that one will be able to benefit from this cohabitating situation, it’s, nonetheless, a rather large-scale project. 

4 min read

RenoQuotes.com • 07 Nov 2023

5 Things to Know About Driveway Sealer

While some believe that an asphalt driveway doesn’t require any maintenance, the fact is, it’s actually quite the opposite. Albeit it can withstand years of use, ultimately, over time, it’ll show some signs of wear if it lacks proper maintenance. 


Looking for a contractor?

Submit a project and get 3 free quotes now!