Rock garden: types, device, plants. Alpine slide: design instructions
Alpine slide in the garden or on personal plot allows you to realize the dream of a harmonious oasis, in which living and inanimate nature are perfectly combined with each other. The decorativeness of the rock garden consists in a whole compositional ensemble of impregnable and cold stones and lush flowering green spaces with their own special energy. Artificially created mountain slopes, decorated with calm greenery, allow you to feel like a conqueror of mountain peaks and enjoy their unique beauty.
There are many types of alpine slides and you can choose what is more suitable for resources and preferences. But to create a “highlight” in your garden in the form of a rock garden is not only to lay flat stones around the territory, you need to spend a lot of time, patience and effort to achieve a finished image and get a quality result. There are several basic rules that are recommended to consider when arranging Alpine slide on their own.
The first thing to start with is to choose a place on the site where the object will be built. The "face" of the alpine slide should look in the direction of the southeast or southwest, and the "mountain slope" (if one is planned) - in the south direction. The site should be sunny and open. The object on it cannot look lonely and apart. On the contrary, it should be harmoniously combined with all neighboring and nearby objects and cultures. The ideal location for a rock garden is a recreation area or an area near a residential building. This decorative structure will attract attention and admiration.
Number of materials
After choosing a site and assessing the available area for the work, you can start planning the project. It must reflect the sketches and sketches future design, the sequence of work and, of course, the preliminary amount of materials used.
Bringing the project to life will require many different natural stones. Their number depends on the scale and types of alpine slides. For example, for a high multi-level slide, you will need large boulders of natural irregular shape (without additional processing) to be used to simulate a gorge, cliff, mountainside, or plateau. Processed stones in the form of a rectangle are necessary for the construction of a retaining wall. Also, you can not do without stone chips, gravel, crushed stone, sand and cement.
When constructing a stone garden with a flower garden (rockery), it is assumed that such a landscape is built on long years and does not require frequent changes, so less stone materials will be needed for it. But creating a relief from artificial irregularities, much more stones will be used.
To create a natural and harmonious object, landscape designers are advised to choose only stones of the given area for construction and always of the same breed. Minimum weight one large stone should not be less than thirty kilograms, and the total weight of the giant stones on the site starts at four hundred kilograms. The total average weight of small "stone" material (crushed stone or gravel) for one rock garden is 300-500 kg.
It is necessary to first consider how to transport stones and other heavy objects around the site. Any suitable means of transportation will save time, effort and health. Work on the construction site can only be started when everything is already at hand. the right tools and materials.
All work consists of three main stages, but before moving on to them, you must first mark the territory, according to the prepared plan, evaluate preliminary result and, if necessary, correct by making small changes. With the help of a rope or twine, wooden pegs and bright ribbons, you need to outline the contours of the alpine slide and designate its largest elements. After that, you can proceed to the first stage.
- The land needs to be cleared drainage layer(if rockeries are planned), create the planned artificial bumps and stone hills, lay the channel for the future stream (or other type of reservoir) and erect the supporting walls of the rock garden.
- The work consists in arranging large stones in the form of a planned composition or ensemble and preparing the soil layer for planting vegetation.
- The stage that requires taste, creative thinking and imagination is decoration. It consists in planting plants, arranging additional accessories and placing small stone material (gravel and stones).
Drainage layer construction
High-quality drainage helps prevent stagnant water and rotting of the root system of plants, controls erosion and shrinkage of the soil, and maintains moderate heat of the soil in the off-season. The most suitable material for drainage is pebbles (large) or broken red brick.
The top layer of soil with a thickness of ten to twenty centimeters (depending on the type of rock garden) must be carefully removed and laid out around the perimeter of the pit. Then level the resulting surface and thoroughly clean it of all vegetation and its roots. If the future rock garden assumes a flat relief, then the thickness of the drainage layer is 10 cm, with further construction of irregularities in the territory - 20 cm of drainage.
After laying a ten-centimeter drainage layer, it is covered fertile soil and carefully level the surface. A thick (20 cm) drainage layer serves as the main platform for the construction of various hills and irregularities and therefore is not covered with soil.
A multi-level rock garden is the most difficult type and requires a lot of patience and responsibility during construction. From quality work when creating this design depends on its reliability and durability.
The first row of stones, which are supporting wall, spread around the perimeter, placing them as close as possible to each other and deepening into the ground by about ten centimeters. For the reliability and strength of the connection of stones, it is recommended to use cement mortar or tile adhesive.
For the full development of future plantings, it is very important to prepare the soil, which will be at the bottom of the rock garden and help maintain moderate moisture, as well as prevent erosion. The removed earthen layer laid out along the edges of the pit is recommended to be mixed with peat or humus, as well as with small pebbles or coarse sand (in equal proportions). The resulting mixture must be laid on the drainage, well tamped and watered. big amount water for quick shrinkage.
After drying the first level, they proceed to the construction of the second. A layer of crushed stone or gravel is applied to the surface of the earth and a second terrace of stones is laid out, fastening them with a reliable solution. It must be borne in mind that between the stones it is necessary to leave a place for the future channel of the reservoir. The terrace on the second level is covered with soil, watered abundantly and left to shrink.
With each new level, the area of the next terrace gradually decreases. In the final, a separate stone is exposed, which will become the top of the rock garden. The height of the alpine slide depends on the land area used for the base. To build a meter structure will take about 10 square meters earth.
To complete the process of soil subsidence, as well as to fully dry the solutions, the object is left for about 10-15 days. Only after that you can proceed to decorating, planting plants and arranging a reservoir. Plants are recommended to be planted, starting from the top and gradually moving to the bottom of the hill.
Alpine slides with a height of about one hundred centimeters will require less effort and the amount of materials. Construction waste (such as pieces of bricks or stones) can be used as the core and reliable foundation of the structure. With their help, the contours of the hill are marked (right on top of the main drainage layer), and then a soil mixture is poured on top, which will be resistant to erosion and shrinkage. Its composition: garden soil, expanded clay, pieces of red brick and small gravel. The average thickness of this layer is 50-60 cm. The next layer is again drainage, consisting of the smallest pebbles or crushed stone, on which large stones are placed or stone slabs are laid out, deepening them by about forty percent into the soil. The surface of the rock garden is covered with fertile soil about 20 cm thick. The composition of this soil mixture should be light, loose and nutritious and correspond to the preferences of flower crops.
Approximately 20-25 days are allotted for the final shrinkage of the slide. After that, you can plant numerous plants, arrange various decorative details and small stones. Large stone boulders on such a mini-slide are not advised to be used, if only they are placed at the base of the structure.
Gardening of rock gardens
The main plants of alpine slides are herbaceous and semi-shrub species of small height. In natural natural environment on the mountain slopes you can find mostly low species and varieties. The vegetation of the created rock garden should look as natural and believable as possible. And to maintain its attractiveness throughout the year, it is recommended to choose winter-hardy (evergreen) and coniferous crops. The color of green foliage or needles goes well with stone compositions.
Plants for rock garden should be distinguished by such basic characteristics - unpretentiousness, cold resistance and drought resistance. To maintain the decorativeness of the relief and create harmonious composition experienced growers and landscape designers are advised to plant flower and deciduous crops in a checkerboard pattern.
Do-it-yourself Alpine slide (video)
Alpine hill. What a romantic title! It literally breathes freshness and even smells of emerald green grass, which covers the mountain slopes. The atmosphere of pristine nature can be successfully recreated in a summer cottage. And the rock garden will help in this - an original composition of stones and plants, which has recently been very actively used by landscape design masters.
Features of the Alpine slide
We can say that the projects of alpine slides are absolutely unique design solutions. Exist general rules their arrangement, but the embodiment of the idea is a completely creative activity. From the same set of source materials, you can create an infinite number of interesting variations.
A mandatory attribute of a rock garden is a large stone (one or more). This is the symbol of the mountain peak. And its conditional slopes are planted undersized shrubs and plants that best suit the mountain climate.
Do not be naive to believe that a handful of stones and vegetation breaking through between them can claim the proud title of an alpine slide. The arrangement of such a landscape composition will require a lot of effort, financial investments and flights of fancy. To make it look natural and harmonious, space is needed. The larger the scale, the more organically, as if in a natural environment.
From the history of rock garden
Japan is considered to be the birthplace of stone gardens. Pra-rock gardens began to be built there a thousand years ago. On the Islands of the Country rising sun there has always been a shortage of free land - probably that is why they liked to create beauty there small areas. According to the Japanese canons of beauty, the true value lies in natural phenomena. The combination of the hardness of stone and the tenderness of flowers creates an unusually enchanting duet of true beauty.
IN European countries alpine slides appeared only in the 16th century. Then, on such flower beds, outlandish plants were grown, transplanted from the natural mountain environment. Fashion for them came to Russia in the 18th century. Today, many gardeners are thinking about how to build an alpine slide with their own hands on own site. After all, it is very unusual decoration any suburban area.
Rock garden and rockery: similarities and differences
There is often confusion between these two concepts. Let's see why. Rock garden and rockery are two different types of flower beds. More precisely, two methods (or principles) for arranging a flower bed. In both cases stones and plants are used.
However, rockeries can be called a stone garden in the classical sense. The predominant part of such a composition is occupied by stone. And only one breed is used.
The stones are laid out in parallel stripes or in random order. Such a chaotic technique allows you to create the illusion of a natural environment. Rockeries are also supplemented with vegetation, but here it acts as a background, plays a secondary role.
In rock gardens, flowers and grass are always in the foreground. They catch the eye with a variety of colors, surprise with a combination of opposites.
How to choose plants for rock garden
We have already said that it is better to plant on an alpine hill undemanding plants. In this decorative corner of the garden, flowers that do not need careful care will look most harmonious.
Indeed, in the mountains there is a harsh atmosphere, and each individual stalk has to fight for its place under the sun. Under gusts of wind or blows of heavy rain, only strong plants survive, which are able to fight for their own existence. When planning to break a rock garden, think about what flowers and shrubs you would like to decorate the cottage.
If you want to update every year appearance flower beds, plant annuals. And to get a stable result, give preference to perennial herbs of bright colors. Think also about the change in flowering seasons, because some plants please us earlier, others later.
Here are a few concrete examples. These plants for the alpine slide are literally created by nature itself:
The symbol of the Alps, which fits perfectly into the Russian landscape. This perennial is frost-resistant, no cold to him at all. Edelweiss lines the slopes of the alpine hill with rugs, the diameter of which reaches 20 cm. It blooms in June-July.
There are several varieties of this humble plant. Absolutely unpretentious, securely fixed on any soil with its creeping stems. Under influence sun rays stonecrop leaves become brighter, as if sunbathing. It can be used to decorate the edging of the rock garden, as it destroys weeds within the radius of its "rug".
The most popular inhabitant of the Alpine slides. Its fleshy leaves will make any flower bed stand out on its own, and its light purple flowers can compete in modest beauty with many of its congeners.
In the spring, these pretty rugs are literally strewn small flowers. The plant prefers dark areas, even covering stones with its green nets.
An ideal perennial for an alpine slide of the buttercup family. People call it sleep-grass. Blooms one of the first, in early spring. Drained soil is favorable for backache, in such conditions it actively grows.
Shrubs and flowers are also suitable for rock garden:
- juniper ( different kinds),
- dwarf barberry,
- Japanese spirea,
- aquilegia,
- aster alpine,
- viola horned,
- crocus,
- Phlox subulate.
By combining different types of plants, you can create an alpine slide whose design will be absolutely unique. Here it is important to create the effect of the atmosphere of the mountains due to the multi-tiered. For example, such an arrangement of shrubs and flowers can claim the title of classic.
An ideal place for arranging a rock garden
Having decided to build a rock garden, try to critically examine your hacienda. Of course, a flower garden can decorate any corner of it. But in this case you need to choose a spacious area that is well lit by natural rays.
It is also important to think about how the future alpine flower bed will be viewed. After all, you will surely want to show such beauty, created by your own hands, to your guests.
When choosing a place, consider the nature of the soil. On sandy soil, the arrangement of an alpine slide will be less problematic, since it can be broken right on the ground. But for clay or oily soil, it will be necessary to carry out additional work- prepare drainage.
An indication for the drainage of the site is not only the nature of the soil. Mountain plants do not like when water stagnates, and in order to avoid this, experienced designers recommend making a special base for the rock garden. It is necessary to remove the top soil cover, but you should not go deeper than 30 cm.
You can make not a solid pit, but several pits. Then fill them with crushed stone (as an option, construction debris, broken bricks, fine gravel will do just fine). Then the sand is poured, on top - the earth. Each layer of the base must be watered and allowed to dry.
Soil mix and stone laying
To form a rock garden mound directly, it is necessary to prepare a specific mixture. In equal proportions, clean soil, coarse sand and crushed humus are combined.
By the way, in order for the alpine slide in the garden to be truly as natural as possible, use the soil that the mole brings to the surface as soil. Such black mounds are often found in forest plantations, in abandoned areas. In the sectional diagram of the rock garden, you can see a mound of soil mixture.
It is marked yellow. As a rule, the height of the slide is on average 1 meter. Guided by this picture, you can create a multi-tiered flower bed using several stones.
After the drainage is done and the mound is formed, you need to take a break in construction work. Two or three weeks should pass so that all layers are slowly compacted and shrink. The stones are arranged in tiered order. They should create the illusion of rock coming to the surface.
To achieve this, you need to bury them in the ground by at least a third. So you get an amazing effect of the meeting of strength and tenderness, which is symbolized by the stone and flowers.
The size of the tiers decreases from the bottom up, according to the pyramid principle. At the lowest point of each individual tier, a massive stone should be laid so that the structure is strong and small stones do not roll down the slope. Making alpine slides with their own hands, amateur designers form an odd number of tiers. Schematically, the placement of stones looks like this:
The figure shows that the stones should not be laid symmetrically, because in the natural environment we do not observe such geometric accuracy. The space between them will be occupied by flowers, so try to leave enough space. An alpine picture will look organic if you use stones similar in texture and color.
Construction of rock garden peak
There are two options for decorating the top of an alpine hill. In the center of the composition, you can hoist the largest, most massive stone. Such a simple technique will protect the rock garden from erosion of the soil under the influence of precipitation. Or design the peak with several small stones. They can be tightly invested nearby, and also to build a pyramid.
Decoration with vegetation
The labor-intensive process - the creation of an alpine slide - ends with magic. But how else can you call that amazing action when a mound of earth is “inhabited” by plant life! This procedure can be carried out both in spring and autumn, up to frost. First you need to add the soil mixture and carefully plant shrubs or flowers. Here you should be guided solely by the rules of your own taste, everyone sees in their own way color solution rock garden.
Finally, I would like to note that, like a flower bed, an alpine slide cannot be decorated with artificial accessories. For example, glass or plastic, as well as various garden figurines, will simply not be appropriate here. Remember that a flower garden in this style is designed to create a natural atmosphere of the mountains. Stones and plants are completely self-sufficient elements of decor in this case, and do not need a variety of tinsel at all.
Hearing the phrase "alpine meadows", we immediately imagine mountain plateaus with fragrant, delicate flowers, protruding rocks, on which unpretentious plants miraculously grow.
We even begin to smell the crystal fresh air. And this piece of nature can be transferred to our garden.
Let it not seem unbelievable, everyone can create a simple alpine slide, and in the future, as experience is gained, the whole garden, if desired, can be arranged in this spirit.
For the device of a simple rock garden, certain knowledge is required, compliance with the basic principles and rules, which we will consider later in the article.
Basic principles and materials for creating a rock garden
A characteristic feature for any alpine slide is the use of perennial plants, which makes it possible to preserve its decorative effect all year round. Their hallmark unpretentiousness is, they are mainly people from the high mountain regions of the Alps. Hence their name.
It seems incredible their ability to grow on almost bare stones. But excess moisture and overabundance nutrients is a negative factor for them. Basically, these are small plants, which will create a small alpine slide on the site.
The next important mandatory component is properly selected and stacked.
Preference should be given to natural natural material- boulders, granite, limestone, sandstone, shale. It is necessary to focus on their size, shape and surface structure.
As a result, these should be large stones. irregular shape with a structural heterogeneous surface with veins, various inclusions, and may also have recesses where small plants and mosses can be planted. Also interesting effect achieved by the inclusion of sea and river pebbles.
The main thing when arranging a simple alpine slide is the use of one or two types of stones, the number of which prevails or is equal to the number of plants.
The right place to create a rock garden in the garden- a guarantee of prosperity and durability of your masterpiece. The most suitable is a natural slope in an open, well-lit area away from trees, bushes and fences. But you can also flat surface or with the formation of an artificial slope.
And with the correct installation of stones and proper selection of plants, the mini rock garden will take root on the northern slope. However, if you are not a professional and do all the work yourself, then it is better to stick to the most suitable option.
From improvised materials you will need broken brick, gravel, crushed stone, sand, pegs, rope and a shovel.
How to make an alpine slide, selection of assortment
Often we do not know where to start, how to properly and consistently complete all the work, so below we will consider in detail how to make a small alpine slide with our own hands.
If a flat area is selected, we select upright plants, lay the stones slightly obliquely, creating the appearance of a natural occurrence of rocks, and also observing the parallelism of the layers.
If we arrange a rock garden on a slope, all rows of stones should also be parallel with a slight slope back.
It is desirable to select stones of the same thickness, but if they are different, then we stack them so that the top is on the same level.
When designing an artificial slope, you must try to give it as much naturalness as possible, using smooth lines and curves. If we move the soil from one place to another to create a hill, drainage must be done at the excavation site to prevent water from accumulating.
When constructing from imported land, a low retaining wall, for example, made of bricks, is made as a strengthening option.
Main stages of work:
- We mark the place with a peg and a rope.
- We dig up the soil, remove the rhizomes of perennial weeds and debris.
- We do drainage. We remove 30-40 cm of the top layer of soil, fill it with broken bricks, crushed stone and gravel, fill it with sand. Then a layer of earth and water abundantly so that everything settles.
- We lay the stones according to the above diagrams. To prevent weeds, you can first lay a black perforated film.
- Sprinkle with a layer of soil with the following composition: compost, sand, crushed stone, a little sawdust. Watering again. We repeat the laying of stones and adding soil until we achieve the desired result. We leave for a few days.
- We plant plants next to stones, in crevices. First the big ones, then the small ones. The rule is what smaller plant, the more of it in the group. Place better in groups and curtains, between which maintain a distance. Consider different dates flowering when choosing an assortment for decorative rock garden all season.
An assortment of some plants for an alpine slide in the garden:
- Ephedra - dwarf mountain pine, Cossack and its creeping forms, conic spruce;
- Herbaceous plants - awl-shaped phlox, soapwort, saxifrage, grass carnation, creeping tenacious, Carpathian bell, arabis, rocky beetroot;
- Ferns are dwarf;
- - white, thin, eversa, rocky, prominent;
- Bulbous - crocuses, mouse hyacinth(muscari), daffodils, dwarf tulips;
- Young, dwarf hostas, gray fescue, wormwood, thyme, heathers, alpine aster, comb barley.
We will send the material to you by e-mail
WITH create original landscape Do-it-yourself alpine slide will help you design on the site of a suburban building. Step-by-step photos, diagrams and drawings will help you complete a quality project even in a day. Such structures are carried out using wild stones and unusual flowering crops. Certain rules will help to carry out high-quality installation work, the observance of which will prevent alteration and disassembly of the created composition.
When installing the slide, you will need different stone blocks, sand mass, gravel and different options for perennial plants
First of all, you need to choose a suitable place for future alpine slides in the country with your own hands, photos of which can be viewed on the site. The best solution may be to choose a site on the southwest or south side. good option a place on a slope is considered where stunted crops can be planted among the stones.
The basis for a small area can be a slope along the border of the territory or even along the edge of the terrace. When choosing a space under the hill, it is worth considering the following factors:
- the slide should be visible from all sides, so this place should be open;
- the structure should be placed in a sunny and bright area, where there are no tall trees;
- the structure is placed in a place isolated from the wind.
Helpful information! Starting the construction of the structure, it is worth considering the appropriate design style. Various landscape solutions suggest the use of rocky gardens, ponds or bridges, which should be combined with a slide.
What time of year is suitable for creating a flower garden?
The work on the installation of the slide practically does not depend on the time of year. It is not recommended to start work in winter time. by the most the best period autumn is considered when there is time before cleaning the territory for the winter. A rocky structure after installation requires time for a certain shrinkage. After that, only you can start planting plants. If the plants are planted in the fall, then the construction of the main structure can be started in the spring. A high-quality alpine slide is created with your own hands using step-by-step photos and diagrams.
Features and rules when performing rock garden
Rock garden is stylish decor suburban area. For its design, perennial plants are selected, which have different time intervals of flowering.
When creating an alpine structure, the following tips should be followed:
- the structure is being built according to the project, which indicates the number of tiers and the placement of stones;
- is chosen certain type stones and their placement;
- flowers are selected taking into account the time of their flowering, microclimate and color palette.
For your information! The Alpine hill is a small model of a real massif with undulating transitions from a rocky peak to more flat areas. It is important to observe the style of the building, the size of its tiers, as well as the recreation of all conditions for mountain plants.
Related article:
Do-it-yourself Alpine slide: step-by-step photo, diagrams and construction features
Before starting work, landscape design is thought out. Do-it-yourself alpine slides, photos of which can be seen in the photo gallery, require a special approach and a well-planned project. When choosing a suitable site for the construction, the proximity of the passage is important ground water. With their close location, the strength and durability of the structure are at risk. per level groundwater influenced by special drainage.
Soil preparation and drainage
To get a beautiful alpine slide with your own hands, step by step photo instruction and diagrams will help to complete the installation.
First of all, the drainage system is performed:
- for this, a pit is excavated in size larger than the site;
- before this stage, the terrain is marked, which is performed using a coil of wire and special wedges;
- the height of the trench should not be less than 0.9 meters;
- the created recess is filled with gravel;
- the resulting layer is filled with water;
- then the sand and gravel composition is laid, which is compacted;
- the extracted soil layer is cleaned and added on top of the structure.
You can start laying the stone after the shrinkage of the structure. This may take about four months.
Helpful advice! TO garden soil crushed stone can be added, and sand should be mixed into clay soil.
How to arrange stones?
Do-it-yourself alpine slide is made from stones. Step-by-step photos, diagrams and drawings will help you choose best project design. Before laying stones, it is worth preparing a special mixture. In this case, coarse sand, loam from the garden and compost are used. Also crushed gravel is used.
A similar composition can be distributed over the drainage. After that, the mixture is moistened and trampled down. First, large stones are mounted, and then smaller ones. When building, you should use the following recommendations:
- layers of stones should be laid in parallel;
- the upper stones must be installed on the lower blocks, but not on the ground, as this will provoke a distortion of the statue;
- if it is planned to plant plants with a powerful root system, then for them it is worth leaving space between the blocks;
- voids should be filled with soil.
Stones should be laid so that the soil between them does not erode during heavy rainfall. During the construction of this structure, sandstones, limestones and basalt with granite are used. Experts do not recommend using shell rock or tuff.
Helpful information! To retain moisture for plants, the surface of the rock garden can be sprinkled with gravel or stone chips.
Compacting the soil is a mandatory step before laying stones
Video: do-it-yourself rock garden construction
Do-it-yourself Alpine slides in the country: photos of the best compositions
Mountain structures can be used in various variations. From the photo you can choose the most interesting options:
- the composition of the valley in the highlands reflects the view of a high plateau, while large stones are buried in the soil by two-thirds and are complemented by bushes of different heights and winding paths;
- large blocks are required when creating a rocky cliff, in this case, a dwarf fern, mountain pine and juniper are planted;
- in the presence of a slope, it is possible to equip a mountain slope, which is formed with the help of dwarf pines and heather;
- complexity is characterized by a composition in the form of a gorge, while a landscape of different heights is used and hillocks are lined with boulders;
- when constructing a ravine in a forest more often, a fontanel is suitable and perennials;
- if the site is constantly wet, then you can apply the composition of the swamp, which is made using a reservoir;
- The original solution is considered to be a cascading stream, along the banks of which primroses, ferns and irises are planted.
Helpful information! The classical solution is considered to be a centric structure, in which bright flowers plants are combined with stony elements. The site is taken as a basis with a natural hill.
Do-it-yourself alpine slide: a step-by-step photo, the diagrams of which are presented in this review, can be built using the following recommendations:
- a humpy area is ideal for creating an unusual design;
- if cement is not used during construction, then the structure can be reconstructed in the future;
- suitable height from 0.5 to 1.5 meters;
- limestone or sandstone is suitable for plants;
- It is worth considering additional lighting.
With the help of a reservoir, you can decorate any rock garden. Compliance with all the rules will allow you to create a stylish and original structure that will last for many years.
We will send the material to you by e-mail
WITH create an original landscape on the territory suburban area an alpine slide with stones in the country with your own hands will help: photos of which can be seen in this review. If there is an unevenness or ledge in the country house, you can try to create a similar design.Alpine slides are made in the form of mountainous slopes, rocky surfaces or plateaus. A composition of unusual plants and stones of the original configuration can be built on your own. At the same time, it can be given any size and shape.
An example of the implementation of an alpine slide with stones
Projects of alpine slides with stones in the country with their own hands, the photos of which are presented below, are non-standard solutions. There are useful rules when creating these objects, but the embodiment of ideas is only a creative approach.
There are two types of flower beds - rockeries and rock gardens. This different ways arrangement of flower beds. Rockery refers to classic views garden. Most of the structure is occupied by stone. Mandatory element rock garden is a large stone or even several that symbolize a mountain peak.
Interesting fact! The birthplace of the alpine slide is Japan. It was in this country that they learned to create beauty and splendor in small areas due to the lack of territories. In Europe, such flower beds arose in the 16th century. At the same time, intricate plants were transplanted from the natural conditions of the mountain environment.
To make an original alpine slide, the following conditions will be required:
- The presence of boulders of attractive shape and different sizes.
- The site should be located on a slope and have uneven terrain.
- It is necessary to form the correct drainage system. For this, crushed stone, broken brick or sand is used.
- A variety of plants are used, which are planted on the slopes.
If possible, an alpine slide with stones in the country with their own hands, the photos and views of which can be very diverse, should be isolated from the playground and. Such an object should be located near water sources and recreation areas. Do not place a slide near flower beds with lush flowering.
Helpful advice! The height of the slide should not contrast strongly with the surrounding landscape. Colors, textures and shapes should be in harmony with all the elements around.
Related article:
Alpine hill with their own hands. Step-by-step photos, drawings and competent planning of your own unique composition at their summer cottage. Recommendations of designers and some tricks in a special material.
Varieties and styles of rockeries and alpine slides
Rockery is a simplified version of the alpine slide. An important difference is the absence of a hill. Behind the alpine slide with stones in the country with their own hands, photos and views of which are presented below, constant care is required.
The following types of rock garden are distinguished:
- A popular option is rocky hill, which is a small hill with scattered stones.
- The landscape rock garden combines a rocky plain, a rocky slope or a waterfall. It is suitable for any architectural structures.
- For the arrangement of the terraced slope, special limestone is used. A similar element consists of supporting walls.
- Rocks and cliffs are considered the original solution of the rock garden. They look great with hilly landscapes.
- The mountain slope is an exact imitation of high mountain areas. In this case, plants in the form of pyramids are used.
- The mountain valley is considered an interesting and stylish composition.
- Alpine lawn is considered a stylish option. It can look like an alpine meadow between stone blocks standing at a certain distance.
- The composition of the forest ravine can be decorated with a spring or an artificial waterfall.
Do-it-yourself options for an alpine slide with stones in the country can be seen in the photo. In different countries, such structures have their own characteristics.
When planning landscape design on the site, it is worth considering the following areas:
- slide in English style adorned with many ornamental plants. Grasses and coniferous plants are predominant.
- Japanese buildings are decorated with lanterns and various ponds. In this case, source simulations can be used.
- In the Chinese garden, the slide is covered with a large number of stones. Also, the landscape is complemented by water, which can occupy most of the site and stone bridges and islets.
- The Karelian style is characterized by the use of torn and chipped stones, which are laid in horizontal layers. Of the plants used dwarf spruce.
Helpful information! Rockeries can be flat. With their help, the site is divided into functional zones.
Video: 50 examples of an alpine slide for every taste
Installation steps
Previously, such landscape design structures were created on country estates by designers. Now you can use step by step instructions create a beautiful object on your own site yourself.
Site selection
Work on creating a slide begins with marking the area. The place under the structure should be well lit and visible. Suitable sun-drenched South side site. It must be borne in mind that a pile of boulders is not suitable for a small area. Do not place a rock garden along or against the backdrop of fruit trees.
Helpful information! Designers advise placing a slide near a pond or next to a recreation area.
Preparatory work
Do-it-yourself installation of an alpine slide with stones in the country house, which can be seen in the photo, implies the presence of a high-quality drainage system. Depending on the planned dimensions of the structure, a pit is pulled out. To create the bottom layer, split brick or gravel is used. Then the sand is distributed. All layers are well filled with water. The soil for the structure can be purchased or prepared independently. For this soil mix must be mixed with peat in a ratio of 3 to 1. Then a little gravel is added to the composition. First, drainage is done, and soil is laid on top.
drainage system
Drainage is performed to protect against excess water. A strong accumulation of water leads to poor plant growth and subsidence of stones. For the drainage layer, crushed stone and pebbles are selected.
Laying out stones
Stones are laid in tiers. Wherein big boulders used to lay out the base. Smaller stones are laid out on top. For the stability of the composition, large boulders are buried by two thirds in the ground.
When installing stones, some parameters should be considered:
- The dimensions of the boulders are selected in proportion to the dimensions of the rock garden.
- The decor of the slide should look natural.
- The heap is made of stones of a certain breed.
Do-it-yourself terraced alpine hill with stones in the country house: the photo is made from rocks of rough relief. The stones are installed on the slope in the form of stone walls and have different lengths and shapes. Polished and smooth stones look good next to an artificial reservoir.
Helpful information! On a site with different levels, all elements are laid out evenly. When creating a flat structure, the stones are deepened by half. Large stones are the central accent in the composition, while small ones are used to decorate the borders.
Plant selection
A combination of stones with plants will decorate the composition. The natural landscape will help create perennial flowers, conifers and wild grasses. Plants are selected depending on the location and general style design. First, the territory of the structure is compacted and watered, and then you can start planting plants.
Article
